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MINISTER SIMON COVENEY kicks off a four day trade mission in the US today, with 16 meetings in three cites planned during his stay.
His first stop is in New York and he will be meeting with potential investors, mulitnationals who are already investing here and a major US retail outlet. Trade in Irish food products, including beef, will be the main topic on the agenda.
However, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said there is also a significant political agenda, with the Washington leg including meetings with the Deputy Secretary of State for Agriculture, Krysta Harden, and a number of key influencers in the US Senate on agriculture and trade issues, and key negotiators in the upcoming transatlantic trade and investment talks.
Speaking ahead of his departure, the minister said that the development of a positive profile for Ireland as a centre of excellence for food and beverage production and a location for investment remains a matter of the highest priority for him.
“This mission is about building the kind of key linkages, both political and commercial, that can further that agenda,” he said.
As part of a visit to Ireland last week, US Secretary of State Tom Vilsack also met with Coveney for discussions on bilateral trade, beef access and the development of a sustainable Irish food industry for. “We have already had a firm indication, that subject to a positive US audit in the near future, Irish beef could be on US retail shelves later this year,” the minister said.
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All those contacts he made at bilderberg must be coming in handy now.
Guess who has been picked as next leader of FG once Kenny goes to Europe?
And he is bringing his brother to speak about horse meat alluding to be beef of course.
Again another scandal which has had no accountability or resulted in any major prosecutions…its Status Quo in Ireland for sure
Americans won’t pay Irish prices for Irish beef of pork !
Most won’t, but I assume we’ll pitch it as a premium product. Very few American cows are grass fed.
Well I’m glad someone is !
I’ve no problem with sending milk and beef to the US. The beef and milk in the US is full of hormones and is banned in Europe. Also the wheat and corn in the US is Genetically Modified which is also not allowed in Europe.
The problem with this trade agreement is that if the Irish government refuse to take GM seed and give it to farmers to sow. The companies who make the seed can sue Ireland. As it would be part of the agreement.
Europe and Ireland should do all in their power to potect Irish farmers., companies and jobs. Anything less is a sellout.
Sure just make shit up like.
Is this a problem because China can afford Beef? If so I suspect Mr. Coveney will also be discussing hormones.
US food price inflation becoming an issue.
Cheaper imports may drive down prices.
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBREA4M0FI20140523?irpc=932
Jetting off? Surely we should make him take a boat?
Disappointing red-top headline .
Look out….here comes the McPaddy.
Just a question. Can Ireland sign bilateral trade agreements on her own without the EU?
Clearly from the red thumbs it is not acceptable to make jokes about the Farmers.
About time he’s taking action.Beef industry in Ireland is on its knees,same to with sheep.Ever since he got the job he has been banging on about these greenhouse gases coming from animals on farms.If he wants to look into sorting out gas pollution he should have a look at all the factorys not stupid animals on farms which are worth nearly nothing now to farmers coz of the terrible prices
Farmers don’t pay anything for the incredible pollution the emit. Huge amount of greenhouse gases.
They get huge subsidies and if they can’t make a living it’s somebody else’s fault. Or maybe they are shit at farming and should do something else. Like a plumber or carpenter when they can’t make money in their chosen profession.
You are definitely not a farmer then by the way you talk.If you own a farm and its struggling(ie your losing money) you cant just go off and get a new job.Farms are worth millions.Over peoples lifetimes farmers put huge amounts of money into the farm and tjen people say that farmers are rich…….nearly every cent is put back into the farm(nearly all on maintenance).I have a brother and he’s a spud and beef farmer.Last year he made a loss of 55,000 and this year all ready he is down 60,000.Stone broke…..but he keeps on fighting on.During the middle of summer he will work 18yr shifts 7days a week!!!No joke!Last year he was bed bound for a week because of lack of sleep and exhaustion(tbh we thought he was dieing).Have you no respect for the farmers of the country Very few farmers is this country are bad farmers because most of them grew up and worked hard on farms all there live and work crazy long hours,some while making losses.We have some of the best farmers and farmland in the world.And the subsiderys…….thats the only thing keeping alot of farmers afloat.
Excuse me they do pay taxes for green house gases on their herd control.For the last 2-3-4 yrs farmers were told by slaughter factorys that we want nice mature animals for slaughter.Farmers say yes alright,they then go to the factorys with their top quality produce(one of the best countrys in the world for beef produce) and say here we have our stock here for yee,the factorys then say,actually we cahnged our mind we now want young middle aged to young cattle.Now look at the situation the farmers in.With the average bullock for slaughter about €1,500 even 1600 or 1700 on the top farms you would have farmers begging the factorys to buy them in at any price(factorys would be be rubbing their hands from their huge profits).I know a farmer living not so far away from my home village that has 800 cattle that he cant get rid of.Do the maths yourselfs.And don’t go on about that he’s a bad farmer,he very well know and is one of the top farmers in the country,some people are just being totally screwed and then you have mr.know it alls like you that come up with the most stupid of comments that make no sense what so ever ti what actually is happening.
Excuse me they do pay taxes for green house gases on their herd control.For the last 2-3-4 yrs farmers were told by slaughter factorys that we want nice mature animals for slaughter.Farmers say yes alright,they then go to the factorys with their top quality produce(one of the best countrys in the world for beef produce) and say here we have our stock here for yee,the factorys then say,actually we cahnged our mind we now want young middle aged to young cattle.Now look at the situation the farmers in.With the average bullock for slaughter about €1,500 even 1600 or 1700 on the top farms you would have farmers begging the factorys to buy them in at any price(factorys would be be rubbing their hands from their huge profits).I know a farmer living not so far away from my home village that has 800 cattle that he cant get rid of.Do the maths yourselfs.And don’t go on about that he’s a bad farmer,he very well know and is one of the top farmers in the country,some people are just being totally screwed and then you have mr.know it alls like you that come up with the most stupid of comments that make no sense what so ever ti what actually is happening.
David my information comes from the farmers journal, tomorrow when you wake up and put your clothes on, thank the farmer for growing the cotton, whey you eat your breakfast, thank the farmer for growing nutrious cereal and milk, free from hormones and fish dna. If your watch has a leather strap thank the farmer. When you drink ur tea and coffee thank the farmer. Even if you use sugar or not.
All this comes from farmers before you’ve sst down to lunch.
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