Jan 16, 2009

Speaking at the conclusion of the largest ever Irish trade mission to Japan, which included 70 Irish companies and organisations, including a number of food companies, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Brendan Smith, T.D., said he was delighted at the positive outcome for Ireland.

Speaking at the conclusion of the largest ever Irish trade mission to Japan, which included 70 Irish companies and organisations, including a number of food companies, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Brendan Smith, T.D., said he was delighted at the positive outcome for Ireland.

”Led by An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, T.D., this was one of the most significant and fruitful trade missions we have undertaken to a country which is the second largest economy in the world. A vital market for goods and services, Ireland is the fifth biggest exporter and biggest exporter per capita to Japan in the EU. I am particularly pleased that the importation of Irish pork products to Japan, which is worth over €13 million to us, is to recommence following confirmation by the Japanese Health Ministry.

It is very significant, that during a meeting with my Japanese counterpart, he strongly commended Ireland’s handling of the pork dioxin issue and in particular the decisive and transparent way it was addressed once the problem had emerged. I was glad to be able to assure him of the huge importance placed by the Irish Government on the quality and safety of Irish food”, he said.

The Minister outlined how he believed that as a country of 128 million people, which was only 40 per cent self sufficient in food, there was tremendous potential for Ireland to not only increase its volume of exports of pork, but also sea food and dairy products.

He also outlined the progress made in very significantly reducing the incidence of BSE in Ireland and across the EU and expressed the hope that the Japanese market might be reopened to Irish beef.

 Minister Smith had a series of important engagements aimed at promoting Irish food organised by Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia. This included a meeting with the Nissui Group, a key Japanese seafood company with an annual turnover in excess of 5,300bn ¥ and with operations in Japan; North America ; Europe and South America. He also met with Mr Naoya Kakizoe, President and CEO of the Group and also Chair of the Japanese Fisheries Association to discuss the potential opportunities for Irish seafood companies to work with and supply the Nissui Group.  

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