Day two of the Irish beef launch events brought Team Ireland to Washington DC to a launch reception hosted by the Ambassador with Minister Simon Coveney effortlessly settling into his sales pitch, having spent the earlier part of the day in a series of political engagements. The Minister and Bord Bia are unapologetic in targeting successful Irish Americans to act as ambassadors for Irish beef and they see the best cuts of the carcass sold in the best restaurants in New York , Washington and Boston.

The Minister began his day by meeting with the Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Republican Pat Roberts before moving to meet Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. It is clear that Minister Coveney enjoys a good relationship with Secretary Vilsack which enables them speak frankly and openly with each other. The TTIP discussions on trade were on the table but it was made clear from Minister Coveney that any deal will not precede a Trans Pacific Partnership agreement which is expected to take some time longer and with a Presidential Election in 2016, it is clear that TTIP whatever the debates about red line issues is some way off. It was also clear from these discussions that there would be no trade deals on quotas that Ireland might avail outside of TTIP.

While moving out of Agricultural politics, the Minister met representatives of the World Bank who he says have a particular interest in Origin Green and sustainable intensification of agriculture. The problem of poor countries, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa, not being able to feed themselves he referenced to the Irish famine and the loss of life and emigration associated with it. This was a consistent theme of the Minister's message, no doubt geared to resonate with his Irish American audience. It is a pretty powerful message, a country moving from not being able to feed itself and famine to now exporting up to 90% of the food we produce.