Progress towards EU meat exports to East
Both sides have now agreed to simplify certification requirements for Hong Kong imports of meat from the EU.
Instead of insisting that meat must come from animals that were born, raised and slaughtered in the exporting member state, Hong Kong is now prepared to accept that animals may come from any member state that is eligible to export to Hong Kong.
Commissioner Hogan said: “We remain committed to Hong Kong as an important trade and investment partner for the EU and are interested in co-operating more closely with Hong Kong as a hub for China mainland’s market.”
With annual export volumes amounting to about €4 billion, Hong Kong takes 3.5% of all EU agri-food exports, making it the seventh most important export destination
The meat deal was reached during the first leg of Hogan’s visit to Asia, where he headed a business delegation with representatives of some 42 European agri-food businesses, including Ireland’s Arrabawn Co-op and Ornua.
In Vietnam, Commissioner Hogan invited a task force of Vietnamese experts to Brussels to help eliminate trade barriers.
The recently agreed Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Vietnam is expected to enter into force in early 2018, but both sides signalled willingness last week to improve co-operation ahead of that date.
