Coveney: Vietnam deal on Irish pork imports opens up ‘key’ markets
Agriculture, Food, and Marine Minister Simon Coveney, who announced the agreement yesterday, said it provides the Irish pigmeat sector with a vital foothold in a key market.
“Vietnam is an important market in south-east Asia with a growing population and there are good prospects for Irish meat exports both in the short and long term,” he said.
“I am hopeful the decision of the Vietnamese authorities will also have a positive effect on our efforts to gain access to other markets in the region.”
Mr Coveney said the announcement was important in the strategy to open third country markets for Irish food.
“Just as with the agreement reached with the Philippines last month, it is important that Irish industry has alternative outlets for its produce, along with the real potential for expansion,” said Mr Coveney.
“In circumstances where there have been difficulties with the Russian market since the start of the year, it is vital that Irish companies have access to as many markets worldwide as possible.”
Mr Coveney confirmed the agreement was concluded after a concerted technical and diplomatic effort by his department, in conjunction with the Irish Embassy in Vietnam and the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agro-Forestry Fisheries Quality Assurance Department.
The agreement means that a total of five Irish pig processing establishments have been accredited to produce pork for export to Vietnam, while another establishment has been approved for cutting. A veterinary health certificates has also been agreed.
Over the course of the past 18 months, market access has been gained to the US, Japan, Lebanon, and Namibia (for beef); Hong Kong, Namibia and Lebanon (for sheepmeat); and Lebanon (for cooked meats).
In the past few weeks, Ireland has also gained access to the Philippines for beef, sheepmeat, and pork.
Mr Coveney said his department is continuing to work closely with European partners to try to restore the trade in pigmeat with Russia.
“In the meantime we will continue to prioritise the opening of new third country markets for Irish agri-food products, working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Bord Bia to provide new market opportunities for Irish companies,” he said.
