The Junior Minister for Agriculture, Andrew Doyle, is off on a four-day visit to Vietnam from Wednesday. His trip is part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day promote Ireland programme. On his visit, he will hand over Ireland’s response to Vietnam’s requests for information to expedite the process of gaining access for Irish beef. Vietnam imports around 700,000 tonnes of beef per annum.

The Minister will also re-extend an invitation to the ministry’s animal health department and veterinary services to visit Ireland on a formal beef inspection visit.

Doyle previously visited on an agri-food trade mission in 2016. This visit will build on that.

“Vietnam is an emerging priority market for Ireland, with key sectors of interest focused on agri-food, education, aviation, renewable energy, and ICT services,” Doyle said. “Department priority, especially against the backdrop of Brexit and in light of the market development objectives set out in Food Wise 2025. Vietnam could be an important market for Irish beef, given its changing demographics, growing incomes and rising demand for beef.”

On Friday in Hanoi, Doyle will meet with the Vietnamese Vice-Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Le Quoc Doanh.

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