New agricultural attachés and a counsellor from the Department of Agriculture have been appointed to roles in Irish Embassy Network overseas.
The attachés’ roles will encompass trade assistance and developing relationships at a political and official level to ensure representation of Irish interests in these countries.
Minister of State with responsibility for New Market Development Martin Heydon said: “From this year, the Department will have more posts outside the EU than inside. This is being done to help Ireland’s agri-food companies deal with the complexities of global markets.”
The new appointments
The new appointments include:
Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary said: “Our enhanced focus on market access and trade is a key part of my Department’s response through the twin challenges of the economic impact of COVID-19 and ongoing Brexit uncertainty.
Building and developing official relationships will be a key remit of their work
“This work has taken on an added urgency in the light of Brexit and I am increasing our presence in the UK to help us deal with the many changes to our trading relationship.”
Ministers @daracalleary and @martinheydonfg have welcomed the appointment of three new agriculture attachés in #London, #Brussels and #Seoul, and have wished them success in their roles prior to departure to the Irish Embassy Network overseas.????????????????
— Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (@agriculture_ie) August 19, 2020
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Agriculture attachés are crucial to gaining new market access and maintaining the existing levels of trade.
Minister Calleary continued: “I am expanding my Department’s global footprint as we currently have eight agricultural attaché posts in embassies worldwide.
“Building and developing official relationships will be a key remit of their work and should in future help to deepen and widen our access in these markets.”
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