Published on Tuesday18thApril2017

Minister Creed & Minister Zhi Sign Landmark Protocol in Dublin

20170418 Creed Zhi

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed with Chinese Minister Zhi Shuping in Dublin today

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed made a number of significant advances in the development of Irish exports of beef, seafood and thoroughbred horses to China, during a meeting with Chinese Minister Zhi Shuping in Dublin today. 

This morning’s meeting was the second formal bilateral meeting of the two Ministers and comes after Minister Creed’s discussions with Minister Zhi in Beijing last September. 

With reference to beef access both Ministers signed a formal protocol on beef exports to China that paves the way to access for Irish beef to China.

Minister Creed said:

China is now such an important partner for Ireland on agri-food issues and is our third largest trading partner in this sector. Whilst we had constructive discussions on a wide range of issues, I am especially delighted today to have signed this Beef Protocol with China. This marks another major milestone in the process of getting Irish beef into the Chinese market. Today's signing marks the culmination of intensive political, technical and diplomatic engagement with the Chinese authorities.

The Ministers also signed a protocol to facilitate trade in thoroughbred horses for an emerging racing sector in China. The protocol will open access to China to horses not born in Ireland, but present in the jurisdiction for six months. This is an important development for the sector.

On live crabs, the Ministers have agreed an export certificate which will permit the resumption of exports to the critically important Chinese market. The Irish seafood sector has been extremely anxious to resolve a number of certification issues which have hampered the trade, and exports are expected to resume in the very near future.

Minister Creed concluded:

The search for new third country markets is a top priority for my Department and has taken on an added urgency in the context of the challenges posed by Brexit. Today’s developments are significant steps in developing positive relationships and progressing trade with China, and I will continue to pursue such opportunities as a priority in China and elsewhere.