Three things you should know from the past week’s trade missions to China:
1 - When the Irish and EU groups crossed paths in Shanghai, discussions were not all about selling their food to the Chinese. Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed took advantage of sitting with top European Commission officials at a business community dinner to lobby them against a Mercosur trade deal. Meanwhile, Commissioner Phil Hogan bumped into Agriculture Minister Luis Etchevery from beef-exporting Argentina at the SIAL food exhibition. It’s a small world.
2 - With our beef just approved for export to China, I tried my Irish luck with all local meat buyers in sight. One of them unexpectedly asked me if we sold donkeys’ skins. Apparently they’re a top ingredient in traditional medicine and “very easy to sell in China”. Chicken feet are in high demand too.
Oettinger beer at a German food and drink import showroom in Shenzhen, China. \ Thomas Hubert
3 - Proposed cuts to CAP funding after 2020 have led some commentators to ask whether European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Günther Oettinger was on the beer when drawing up his multi-annual financial framework. If he was, it had to be on this one – displayed by a Chinese distributor showcasing food and drink from Günther’s native Germany.
Kepak courting 2 Sisters?
While the Royal wedding was big news at the end of last week, The Dealer heard on his rounds of Balmoral Show that Kepak was now in a union with the red meat division of 2 Sisters.
2 Sisters has two red meat factories in Cornwall and one in south Wales under the St Merryn Foods brand, which it acquired from Vion in 2013. It has one facility in Scotland, a Macintosh Donald facility at Portlethen.
Kepak had nothing to report on the venture when contacted this week, but many in the trade think it is a done deal.
Shilling for the sugar industry
The Dealer was taken aback by the passion with which Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten spoke on the loss of the sugar beet industry, which could now drive biofuel aspirations.
“I recall being browbeaten by the Government and many farmers when I tried to defend the retention and development of a sugar industry in this country,” Naughten said in the Seanad recently. “They preferred to take the quick shilling from the European Commission rather than look at the long-term future needs of this country.”
His comments come at a time when European beet growers’ morale and prices are at historic lows. The Dealer will be watching the minister’s next move with interest.
Teagasc looking for a new chair
I see that Teagasc is inviting people to put themselves forward to succeed Noel Cawley and become its new chair. Cawley will complete a decade in office – two full terms – in September. If you believe you have the “skills, knowledge, and experience” that Minister Creed is looking for, you need to send an expression of interest by 11 June.
I’ve a feeling it will attract some attention – the job is prestigious. You won’t get rich – around €20,000 is paid to the chair (other board members get only expenses). Among names I’ve heard early in play are Tom Moran, the former Department secretary general, Paddy Browne, who retired last year following 40 years of service, and Matt Dempsey of this parish.
I see there has been another appointment at MSD. Jack O’Connor is to take up a ruminant product manager role, alongside John Heslin, whom I reported on last month. The duo will be responsible for the development and delivery of communications campaigns on the prevention and control of diseases in cattle and sheep. O’Connor has been working in the MSD animal health marketing department since June 2017, while Heslin was the former suckler and beef research officer in Teagasc Grange.
Our dairy industry has benefited from New Zealand expertise, most notably Leonie Guiney, so it’s nice to note a significant expat making his mark on their dairy sector. Dr John Roche has been appointed as departmental science adviser for the Ministry for Primary Industries. The Caherciveen native is a graduate of UCD and has a master's from Moorepark, which he describes as “a font of knowledge for Irish farmers”. He now gets to “be curious and ask questions”, according to his own job description.
VAT refund boost for charities
The Dealer was delighted to see that charities will hopefully be able to make use of a VAT refund scheme this year. Some hardworking agricultural charities that could benefit would include Agri Aware and Embrace Farm. A capped fund of €5m will be available to the scheme, which marks an important step in helping give back to those who give a lot.
Three things you should know from the past week’s trade missions to China:
1 - When the Irish and EU groups crossed paths in Shanghai, discussions were not all about selling their food to the Chinese. Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed took advantage of sitting with top European Commission officials at a business community dinner to lobby them against a Mercosur trade deal. Meanwhile, Commissioner Phil Hogan bumped into Agriculture Minister Luis Etchevery from beef-exporting Argentina at the SIAL food exhibition. It’s a small world.
2 - With our beef just approved for export to China, I tried my Irish luck with all local meat buyers in sight. One of them unexpectedly asked me if we sold donkeys’ skins. Apparently they’re a top ingredient in traditional medicine and “very easy to sell in China”. Chicken feet are in high demand too.
Oettinger beer at a German food and drink import showroom in Shenzhen, China. \ Thomas Hubert
3 - Proposed cuts to CAP funding after 2020 have led some commentators to ask whether European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Günther Oettinger was on the beer when drawing up his multi-annual financial framework. If he was, it had to be on this one – displayed by a Chinese distributor showcasing food and drink from Günther’s native Germany.
Kepak courting 2 Sisters?
While the Royal wedding was big news at the end of last week, The Dealer heard on his rounds of Balmoral Show that Kepak was now in a union with the red meat division of 2 Sisters.
2 Sisters has two red meat factories in Cornwall and one in south Wales under the St Merryn Foods brand, which it acquired from Vion in 2013. It has one facility in Scotland, a Macintosh Donald facility at Portlethen.
Kepak had nothing to report on the venture when contacted this week, but many in the trade think it is a done deal.
Shilling for the sugar industry
The Dealer was taken aback by the passion with which Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten spoke on the loss of the sugar beet industry, which could now drive biofuel aspirations.
“I recall being browbeaten by the Government and many farmers when I tried to defend the retention and development of a sugar industry in this country,” Naughten said in the Seanad recently. “They preferred to take the quick shilling from the European Commission rather than look at the long-term future needs of this country.”
His comments come at a time when European beet growers’ morale and prices are at historic lows. The Dealer will be watching the minister’s next move with interest.
Teagasc looking for a new chair
I see that Teagasc is inviting people to put themselves forward to succeed Noel Cawley and become its new chair. Cawley will complete a decade in office – two full terms – in September. If you believe you have the “skills, knowledge, and experience” that Minister Creed is looking for, you need to send an expression of interest by 11 June.
I’ve a feeling it will attract some attention – the job is prestigious. You won’t get rich – around €20,000 is paid to the chair (other board members get only expenses). Among names I’ve heard early in play are Tom Moran, the former Department secretary general, Paddy Browne, who retired last year following 40 years of service, and Matt Dempsey of this parish.
I see there has been another appointment at MSD. Jack O’Connor is to take up a ruminant product manager role, alongside John Heslin, whom I reported on last month. The duo will be responsible for the development and delivery of communications campaigns on the prevention and control of diseases in cattle and sheep. O’Connor has been working in the MSD animal health marketing department since June 2017, while Heslin was the former suckler and beef research officer in Teagasc Grange.
Our dairy industry has benefited from New Zealand expertise, most notably Leonie Guiney, so it’s nice to note a significant expat making his mark on their dairy sector. Dr John Roche has been appointed as departmental science adviser for the Ministry for Primary Industries. The Caherciveen native is a graduate of UCD and has a master's from Moorepark, which he describes as “a font of knowledge for Irish farmers”. He now gets to “be curious and ask questions”, according to his own job description.
VAT refund boost for charities
The Dealer was delighted to see that charities will hopefully be able to make use of a VAT refund scheme this year. Some hardworking agricultural charities that could benefit would include Agri Aware and Embrace Farm. A capped fund of €5m will be available to the scheme, which marks an important step in helping give back to those who give a lot.
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