VOLUME 1

Issue 6

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LATEST PRESS

RELEASES

In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

Minister’s Online Newsletter

A p r i l 2 0 1 8

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 1

Welcome to the latest edition of my newsletter. There is no escaping the impact of the

dreadful weather conditions which have prevailed throughout the first quarter of

2018. Farmers have struggled, and as a Department we have made every effort

possible to aid the sector through this time, with support for the transport of fodder,

the provision of expert advice through Teagasc and with other practical policy

measures aimed at easing difficulties at farm level. Throughout this period, work on

other challenges has also continued - with none more pressing than Brexit. Focusing on

Trade, I lead delegations to the US, Canada, UK and Turkey to continue our efforts to

build market opportunities. There was political engagement too with significant

meetings with colleagues from across the EU. Our work on the Future of CAP took me

to every corner of the Country to hear the views of all stakeholders who contributed to

our Public Consultation. All these efforts will continue as we begin the second quarter

of 2018 - in the hope of better weather.

At the end of February, I led a delegation involving Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Irish food industry representatives, on a five day trade mission to the USA and Canada. I’m committed to strengthening trading relationships against the background of Brexit and creating opportunities for the Irish Agri-Food sector to grow in international markets. The value of Irish Agri-Food exports to North America continues to grow and this mission was an opportunity to strengthen and develop existing relationships in the United States. I also want to build on the recent free trade agreement between the EU and Canada by raising the profile of Ireland as a source of quality food and beverages, and expanding the range and value of exports. Leveraging the very strong presence of the Irish Embassies in Washington and Ottawa, and in collaboration with industry and our State Agencies, I want to highlight the credentials of Ireland’s food and drink sector from a food safety, sustainability and authenticity perspective, in order to develop a unique selling point for Irish products. The value of Irish food and drink exports to the United States has doubled since 2012, exceeding €1 billion in 2017 for the first time. Exports to Canada totalled €108m in 2017. The five-city itinerary encompassed over 20 official engagements. It began at the North American Meat Industry Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday the 26th February. Bord Bia launched a targeted retail and foodservice engagement campaign.

Agri-Food Trade Mission to the USA and Canada

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In this Issue:

€1.12m paid to date

under Basic Payment

Scheme

€150 Million, 2.95%

interest Agri Cash

Flow Support Loan

Trade Mission to

Morocco and Algeria

223,500 Tonnes of

Fish quota’s secured,

Worth €280 Million

for Irish Fishermen

for 2017

Grant Awards for

over €28M FOR Agri-

Food, Marine and

Forest Research

Page 2

IMPORTANT DATES

VOLUME 1

Issue 6

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LATEST PRESS

RELEASES

In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Major Irish meat processing companies had an opportunity to promote quality Irish meat to potential buyers and distributors. The itinerary also included engagements in Chicago, Ottawa, Toronto, and Washington. Irish food & drink exports to Canada in 2017 reached an estimated €108m in 2017, representing 6% growth versus 2016 and 5 year growth of 37%. Canada is Ireland’s third most important export market for beverages after United States & Britain, valued at €62m in 2017. Dairy (butter, nutritional powders, cheese etc.) account for a further 10% of total. While pigmeat from Ireland has been imported for a number of years, modest volumes of beef and sheep-meat have recently also begun to be traded under an EU access agreement.

Canada is a significant importer across most food categories. In 2016, the value of Canadian dairy imports increased to $969.4 million. Top products imported by value were specialty cheeses (28%), followed by milk protein substances (16.1%), and butter and other fats and oils (13.6%). The introduction of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada marks some significant changes in the trading relationship between both markets. Canada has eliminated duties for over 90% of all its agricultural tariff lines upon entry into force of CETA and after seven years, the tariffs for almost 92% of agricultural lines will have been fully eliminated. For dairy, EU exporters now have a bilateral quota of over 18,000 tonnes of cheese, which more than doubles existing EU exports. I held discussions with my counterpart, the Canadian Agriculture Minister, Lawrence McAuley, his Deputy Chris Forbes and his assistant Fred Gorrell. I also addressed the Canadian Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture & Agri-Food chaired by Pat Finnegan MP. I was pleased to be afforded the opportunity to raise awareness of Ireland’s Agri-Food and beverage sector, with significant political figures in Canada. There was keen interest from Minister McAuley, and others, regarding our potential exposure arising from Brexit, our Food Wise 2025 ambitions as well as our sustainability initiatives such as Origin Green.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD and Tara McCarthy, CEO Bord Bia during the trade mission to the USA and Canada.

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RELEASES

In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 3

I was formally introduced to the Parliament during Prime Minister’s questions taken by Prime Minister Trudeau. I was also invited to attend lunch, which was hosted by the Canada Ireland Parliamentary Group in the Parliament building. Canada is certainly a market which offers opportunities for us to grow and expand our export offering as we continue to diversify our market base as a Brexit mitigation measure. The connections made should prove beneficial in our efforts to achieve these goals into the future. At the end of January, I attended the “International Agriculture and Livestock Exhibition” in Izmir, Turkey. My attendance at this important event in the Turkish agricultural calendar is part of my continuous efforts to increase the live export trade for Irish cattle. I was pleased to visit Turkey at the invitation of His Excellency, the Turkish Minister for Agriculture, Ahmet Esref Fakibaba. The trade delegation included officials from my Department and Bord Bia, as well as representatives from the Irish live cattle export companies The visit further builds on the efforts my Department and I have put into:

firstly, opening the Turkish market for live export in 2016; and

secondly, building on the success of the initial exports of live cattle from Ireland in 2017 The export of 30,000 cattle last year represented around 6% of total cattle imports to this important market and I hope that this visit will pave the way for a further increase in trade. The Turkish market is important to the Irish beef sector. Some of the key elements in ensuring a viable return for primary producers include increasing the number of outlets for their produce and ensuring competition, both of which increase the price received by farmers. I also met some of the key stakeholders involved in the Turkish livestock sector to discuss progress in the live export trade: Animal welfare is obviously a key concern for any live export trade, and inspections by my Department ensure that animal welfare standards are strictly complied with during transport. Turkish importers of Irish cattle have been very satisfied with both the quality of Irish cattle arriving into their country and also their subsequent performance in Turkish feedlots and farms. This very much reflects the high standards of Irish beef farmers and suckler producers which gives Ireland the reputation it has throughout the world as producer of beef and livestock of the highest quality. I was very pleased to have a detailed exchange of views with Minister Fakibaba, on a

Visit to Turkey - Drive to Increase Live Exports

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In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 4

range of issues of mutual importance. Ireland’s Agri-Food exports to Turkey amounted to around €70 million in 2017 and the visit to the International AgroExpo at the invitation of Minister Fakibaba provided the ideal opportunity to build further relationships with the Turkish authorities. Minister Fakibaba and I agreed to set up an Official Contact Group, involving senior officials from both our Departments. This Group will facilitate discussions on the detailed technical and certification requirements for exports to Turkey, and promote better understanding of our Irish sustainable production systems and high animal health and welfare standards. Minister Fakibaba and the Director General of ESK (the Turkish Meat and Milk Board) also confirmed that from the end of May, private sector buyers will be permitted to import cattle for fattening. Currently this trade is through State body ESK only. This is a welcome development as now being able to sell fattening cattle direct to private buyers will open up valuable new opportunities for trade. Our discussions also reflected on the success of the Irish dairy sector, which accounts for almost half of our exports to Turkey. I think that the value added growth of this industry, built on the co-operative tradition, is a model of great interest in Turkey. We also discussed the growth of bovine semen exports from Ireland to Turkey, based on our expertise in genetics. Sustainable Food Systems Ireland, which works on technology and knowledge transfer to our international partners, can also provide support in the use of genomic technology. Minister Fakibaba accepted a formal invitation from me to visit Ireland as soon as his schedule permits. I also met some of the key stakeholders involved in the Turkish livestock sector and discussed the success of the live export trade between both countries. While attending the AgroExpo exhibition in Izmir I engaged in bilateral discussions with other Ministers, including my counterparts from Qatar and Kosovo.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD at a bilateral meeting with the Turkish Minister for Agriculture, His Excellency Ahmet Esref Fakibaba in Izmir, Turkey.

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RELEASES

In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 5

On the 5th April, I announced that I had allocated €1.5 million towards the introduction of a Fodder Import Support measure. In light of poor weather conditions and an evolving fodder supply challenge across the country, I introduced a support measure to help offset the cost of importing fodder from abroad. I welcomed the moves to import fodder by the dairy Co-operatives and this measure supports their initiative. The Co-operative ethos remains very strong and vibrant in Irish Agriculture. This measure was introduced with immediate effect to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage etc.) from outside the island of Ireland. It covers forage imported by the Co-ops from 5th April 2018 to 30th April 2018 and is subject to EU State Aid rules (de-minimis rules). Support under the measure substantially reduces the cost to farmers of imported fodder by approximately one third. The initial allocation will support the importation of up to 20,000 tons of fodder into the country and will be kept under ongoing review until the current crises is over. While this measure will operate through the dairy Co-operatives, the actual beneficiaries will be farmers who need urgent supplies of forage. This measure largely replicates the straightforward approach adopted in 2013 whereby a farmer approached a participating Co-op, purchased fodder and my Department subsequently paid the transport support element to the Co-op. Application forms and terms and conditions are available through the Co-ops and on my Department’s website. I acknowledge this is a very difficult period for some famers around the country. There is no simple solution to the current shortages. It requires a collaborative effort of all stakeholders to support affected farmers to ensure adequate feed supplies are available until livestock can be turned out to graze. I welcomed the commitment by Teagasc and Co-ops to identify farmers at most risk of running short of feed and support them through individual advisory and fodder budgeting sessions. I call on farmers who still have supplies, to continue to make these available to neighbours through local groups, the Co-ops and Teagasc, by means of its recently developed fodder register. Meetings are being arranged between myself and the main banks to discuss steps to alleviate the short-term financial pressures arising for farmers dealing with fodder shortages. My Department will continue to operate its Early Warning System whereby emergency assistance may be provided to farmers whose animals are experiencing serious welfare issues and where the farmer him/herself is unable to cope. This latest measure builds on a range of supports to the agriculture sector, including the Fodder Transport Support measure introduced last January. I also took the opportunity to enhance the flexibility of this measure in light of the on-going weather

€1.5 Million Allocated for the Introduction of a Fodder Import Support Measure

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In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 6

difficulties. Specifically, that this national measure would now apply to all counties with immediate effect, remove the need for a fodder budget and the minimum distance requirement would be reduced to 50 km. The reduction in minimum transport distance will provide greater flexibility in both sourcing and supplying fodder but will ensure that the measure, which is a transport support, continues to respect the normal local trading arrangements that apply in the case of fodder. Regarding GLAS measures, I also announced an extension to the closing date for grazing livestock on land containing the Traditional Hay Meadow action under the scheme. Grazing by livestock is now permitted up to the 1st May this year, and this makes available an additional 27,000 hectares of grazing for livestock which would not otherwise be available. This additional commitment builds on previous support which included, early payment of EU aid last Autumn resulting in €1.6 billion in payments before the end of 2017 to farmers under BPS, ANC and Agri-environment scheme, and the introduction of a National Transport support measure in January of this year facilitating the movement of fodder to the North and West. These initiatives I have announced build on the support that Teagasc, industry and my own Department have been providing to the farming sector throughout this difficult winter. I will continue to monitor the fodder situation closely and work with all stakeholders until we have successfully come through this trying period. I travelled to the United Kingdom as part of the annual series of Irish Government engagements to mark St. Patrick’s Day. The St. Patrick’s Day festival, now celebrated globally, offers a unique opportunity for the Irish Government to put its best foot forward for the country in promoting trade and fostering business relationships against an overall backdrop of celebrating our diaspora and their achievements all over the world. A major priority during this visit was to continue our ongoing process of engagement with our major UK partners in the food industry. The UK is our most significant export market from an Agri-Food perspective and notwithstanding the challenges posed by Brexit we intend to maintain and build our presence in that market. The meetings were useful and reassuring in that the position of Irish suppliers is very much valued by our UK partners.

St. Patrick’s Week Itinerary to the United Kingdom

Minister for Agriculture, Food

and the Marine, Michael Creed

TD, attended 'Champ' Inter-

Parliamentary Group at

Westminster

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RELEASES

In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 7

I visited the Oceanology International Trade Exhibition, at London’s Excel Exhibition Centre. Oceanology International is a trade show and conference held every two years and is recognized as the leading ocean technology and marine science event in the World attracting over 8,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors from over 79 Countries. As Chairman of the Government’s Marine Co-ordination Group, this was an important opportunity to support efforts to promote Irish organisations providing products and services for global marine services and furthermore to highlight Ireland as an attractive location for inward investment in the blue economy. The vision of the ‘Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth’ Strategy is to expand the Irish Ocean economy to a value of 2.4% of GDP by 2030.

I met with my UK counterpart, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove MP. We discussed issues associated with Brexit, the Agri-Food and fisheries sectors as well as future UK and EU agriculture policy. Commenting on our discussions, I noted this was a timely opportunity for dialogue in the context of the on-going negotiations taking place between the UK and the EU task force on the Withdrawal Agreement. I stressed to the Secretary of State the mutual benefit of bi-lateral trade in Agri-Food and fisheries and the importance of coming to an agreement which allows such trade to continue as seamlessly as possible without undermining the integrity of the single market. I reiterated the importance of our fishing industry and confirmed that Ireland’s position regarding our fisheries sector is fully aligned with that of the EU27. In a high profile week for the horse racing industry I mentioned the tripartite agreement between Ireland, France and the UK which facilitates the movement of horses between the three states. I also undertook a comprehensive programme of Irish community, cultural, political and promotional activities in London from Tuesday 13th March to Sunday 18th March.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, at the

Oceanology International Trade Exhibition, at London’s Excel Exhibition Centre

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In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 8

My programme included: attendance at the launch of an Embassy and Transport for London partnership to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the London Underground; meetings with Irish business and professional networks; engagement with the Irish arts community; attendance as guest of honour at the London St. Patrick’s Festival Ball; leading the London St. Patrick’s Day Parade and addressing the St. Patrick’s Festival in Trafalgar Square celebration. I also represented the Government at a number of political receptions to mark St. Patrick’s Day including the annual CHAMP reception in Westminster. Along with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, I accompanied this year’s Parade Grand Marshalls, Gloria Hunniford and Imelda Staunton, in leading the St Patrick’s Day Parade to Trafalgar Square. The itinerary concluded following a formal meeting with the Mayor. I also took the opportunity to meet Irish food companies participating in the festival and with representatives of community organisations attending the event.

Minister for Agriculture Food & Marine, Michael Creed TD, met with his UK counterpart, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Michael Gove MP at DEFRA HQ London

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed

TD, represented the Government at a number of political receptions

to mark St. Patrick’s Day in the United Kingdom.

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RELEASES

In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 9

On 7th February I announced the early opening of the application process for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the Greening Scheme. Under EU regulations, 2018 is the first year that all the Direct Payments Schemes (BPS, Greening, Young Farmers Scheme, National Reserve, and transferring of entitlements) applications must be submitted online. This will help to ensure that the Department can process all applications under these schemes as efficiently as possible. I confirm that the closing date for BPS applications in 2018 is Tuesday 15th May and urge all farmers and advisors to avail of the early opening of the application process now rather than waiting until nearer the closing date. It is open for farmers to do this either as individuals or through an agent. I am aware that for some people, this will be the first year that they will have engaged with the online applications process. To help farmers to submit their application online in 2018, I have ensured that the application process in 2018 opened over a month earlier than in 2017. This will provide more time for farmers to familiarise themselves with the online application facility and to submit their applications. Officials from my Department are providing a range of supports to farmers, including a series of BPS clinics in locations throughout the country. Further supports such as telephone helplines will also be in place. As we move towards the application deadline, my Department will be in contact with farmers again to provide further details on these supports. These supports will ensure that all farmers are able to access these important payments. Among the benefits available to online applicants is the availability of preliminary checks. These allow online applicants to be advised of certain errors at an early stage and to correct any such issues without penalty. Such checks have proved very successful in previous years and they represent one of the many advantages for farmers in making their BPS applications online. In March, I chaired the 14th meeting of the Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC), where Brexit is a standing item. I outlined the supports in place to support Irish SMEs in general, and food companies in particular, in preparing for the challenges posed by Brexit. These measures include the ‘Brexit Loan Scheme’, which will provide up to €300 million of affordable, flexible working capital finance to Irish businesses impacted by Brexit, including food companies, and which is due to be in place by the end of March. Brexit response measures by my Department, also include investing in marketing and promotion by Bord Bia, to ensure the sector has the widest possible global footprint, and additional supports for capital investment in the food industry.

Early Opening of 2018 Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee

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RELEASES

In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 10

As part of this investment, I highlighted that my Department, though Teagasc, will be funding a €5m investment in capital equipment for the Prepared Consumer Food Production (PCF) Centre, in the Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown. This will allow the purchase of specialist processing and packaging equipment which companies can pilot, with a view to scaling up their production and/or operations. Teagasc expects to launch the PCF initiative in June 2018. I also highlighted the importance for SME companies to remain competitive by undertaking lean manufacturing processes and by innovating to address challenges into the future. I emphasised the work of Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the range of supports which EI has put in place to help SMEs to address these challenges. I want to encourage SMEs to avail of the many supports provided by the agencies. One such support is Enterprise Ireland’s Capital Investment Initiative which is open to all SME companies. In particular, I urge SME food companies who need to improve productivity and competitiveness through the acquisition of new capital equipment to talk to Enterprise Ireland about availing of this specific support. The other agenda item at the HLIC meeting was Environmental Sustainability, with a focus on water quality, climate change and the role of forestry in climate change mitigation. A presentation was made on the Agriculture Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme, launched last December. This is an innovative collaboration between Government and industry, supporting the goals of the Food Wise strategy by promoting and encouraging sustainable farming, while meeting stringent water quality requirements. We must be clear and unequivocal about our commitment to environmental sustainability. And we must ensure that the actions we take have real and verifiable impact and deliver maximum value for private and public investment.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, meets with Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland prior to the meeting of the Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC) in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin.

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In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 11

On 6th February I chaired the 11th meeting of the Beef Roundtable. The meeting reflected on the strong performance of the sector in 2017 and looked forward to the prospects for the sector in 2018. I acknowledged the efforts of all in the industry who contributed to a successful 2017 which saw a 5% increase in the value of our beef exports to €2.5 billion and a 4% increase in the volume of our exports to 556,000 tonnes. It is very encouraging to see the growth in third country beef exports in recent years, in line with the Food Wise focus on market development. The share of beef exports outside the EU has grown from 1.6% in 2013 to 6% last year, representing a significant diversification from our traditional UK and EU markets. I stressed that increasing our share of international markets will be an important part of my work in 2018 with additional trade missions planned during the year. I also provided the Roundtable with an update on progress in relation to Brexit and international trade deals such as Mercosur, reassuring all stakeholders of my determination to ensure that best interests of the Irish beef sector are strongly represented. I reminded participants of the CAP Post 2020 consultation meetings and emphasised the important of these to the beef sector, especially in the context of beef farmers’ reliance on direct payments. These meetings and the public consultation process currently running are an important means by which beef farmers can make informed contributions to the future direction of the CAP. The Roundtable was provided with an update on 2018 Markets prospects from Bord Bia and presentations on market access and climate change from Department officials. Continuing the recent trends in Roundtable meetings stakeholder presentations were received from Macra na Feirme, Teagasc and Animal Health Ireland. I am confident that, despite significant challenges, the continued efforts of all stakeholders present at the Roundtable will ensure that the sector continues to further develop over the next number of years and build on the successes of 2017.

Beef Roundtable

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD at the eleventh meeting of the Beef Roundtable

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In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 12

At the start of February I met with key members of the European Parliament during a visit to the plenary session in Strasbourg. I met with a number of MEPs, including the Chair of the Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development, Mr Czeslaw Adam Siekierski (Poland), Chair of the Committee on International Trade, Mr Bernd Lange (Germany), Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, Mr Alain Cadec (France). I also held a meeting with Irish MEPs from all parties. The visit provided a useful opportunity to discuss a range of priorities for Ireland’s Agri-Food and fisheries sectors with key leaders in the European Parliament. The main items of discussion centred on Brexit, our concerns regarding the Mercosur trade talks and the future of the Common Agriculture Policy post 2020. Given the diverse composition of the European Parliament this was a timely moment to reiterate our positions on these key issues with important influencers in EU politics. I also took the opportunity to brief Irish MEPs on the Government’s work in terms of Brexit and CAP. We are in the midst of a public consultation on CAP at present therefore it was valuable to hear the views of MEPs on the matter.

Meeting Key Figures in European Parliament Visit

M i n i s t e r f o r Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD meeting with Mr Ala in Cadec, Chair of the Committee on Fisheries

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD meeting with Mr Bernd Lange, Chair of the Committee on International Trade

VOLUME 1

Issue 6

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LATEST PRESS

RELEASES

In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 13

In February, I approved a €27.9m Capital Investment Package for the ongoing development of Ireland’s publicly owned fishery harbour network. The €27.9m is a substantial capital investment in our six Fishery Harbour Centres and other fisheries related marine infrastructure. It builds on previous successful Capital Programmes, and is testament not only to this Government’s ongoing commitment to the seafood sector, but also to the success of the sector in terms of increased activity levels. The Annual Capital Programme provides funding for safety, maintenance and new development works at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Ros an Mhíl and Killybegs which account for 82% of all quota landings into Ireland. The primary function of the Fishery Harbour Centres is to underpin the ongoing development of the sea fisheries and seafood processing sectors while also facilitating other diverse marine related activities. I have set aside almost €2.47m towards safety, maintenance and development works at the six Fishery Harbour Centres and at North Harbour, Cape Clear which is also owned by my Department. I have also allocated €2m for a Local Authority Harbour Development and Marine Leisure programme to assist coastal Local Authorities in the repair and development of piers, harbours and slipways under their ownership. Flagship projects to commence under the 2018 Capital Programme, include the Dinish Island quay extension at Castletownbere (€7m allocated in 2018), the Smooth Point extension Phase 2 at Killybegs (€1.4m in 2018), capital works on the Middle and East piers in Howth and construction of a new slipway at Ros an Mhíl. Applications for 50% co-funding from the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) have been submitted in respect of five projects, namely the The Dinish Quay Extension, Castletown Bere, The Smooth Point Extension (phase 2), Killybegs, The Landing Pier upgrade (phase 2), Killybegs, Additional Berthing Middle Pier, Howth and the New Slipway, Ros an Mhíl This €27.9m investment will build on the €92m invested in the Fishery Harbour Centres since 2010 and the €25m invested in the Local Authority infrastructure over the same period. It continues to improve the facilities at our Fishery Harbour Centres and other public harbours around our coast attracting and increasing economic activities, benefitting a broad cohort of current and future harbour users including the fishing industry, seafood processing sector, other ancillary marine industries and the wider rural coastal communities. In February, I announced the results of the second Open Call competitive process to select proposals to proceed to Round 2 of the European Innovation Partnerships Initiative (EIP). A total of 19 projects were successfully shortlisted to move to the next stage of the process.

€27.9m in funding for Capital projects at Irelands six Fishery

Harbour Centres and Publically owned Harbour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for the Next Phase of the European

Innovation Partnerships Initiative

VOLUME 1

Issue 6

Register for Newsletter

LATEST PRESS

RELEASES

In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 14

I am delighted to see the EIP progressing to this next phase which provides an important opportunity to respond to challenges in our sector in a new way. The proposals received in response to this call are of a very high quality and a clear indication that the EIP initiative is recognised in the rural economy as a very useful approach to addressing challenges in a collaborative and innovative way. The 19 projects which have been selected will now be funded to develop a detailed project plan. A number of these proposals will then be selected to move forward to the full implementation phase. The EIP forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014–2020, and is centred on groups coming together to develop and implement their innovative ideas for how they propose to address challenges they have identified. Support for this element of the EIP is structured around a competitive fund, whereby an open call for proposals addressing key challenges in the Agri-Food sector was put in place. In effect, there are two streams within this call which will be administered via the same process throughout. The first stream is focused on themes such as farm viability, economic performance, sustainable forest management and innovative technologies. The second stream is focused on challenges related to environmental, biodiversity and climate change issues. I am delighted to see that the EIP proposals that have been successful at this stage of the process seek to address a wide range of challenges in the sector and align closely with broader Department and sectoral policy particularly on the big environmental challenges such as climate change. The level of innovation being proposed in tackling the issue of climate change across these projects is very encouraging. Other successful projects include targeting flood management, pollinators, reducing the carbon footprint of intensive pig production, water quality, invasive species, lean dairy operation, and a number of biodiversity challenges. 18 April Chair meeting of Marine Coordination Group

19 April Brexit Seminar, Armagh

25 April Bilateral with Dutch Minister for Agriculture, The Hague

25 April Attend Seafood Expo, Brussels

26 April Oral PQs

30 April All Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit, Dundalk

2 May Bilateral with German Minister for Agriculture, Berlin

2 May Bilateral with French Minister for Agriculture, Paris

3 May Bilateral with Danish Minister for Agriculture, Copenhagen

10 May Chair meeting of Foodwise 2025 Implementation Group

12 – 19 May Trade Mission to China and Hong Kong

Important Dates

VOLUME 1

Issue 6

Register for Newsletter

LATEST PRESS

RELEASES

In this Issue:

Agri-Food trade Mission to

the USA and Canada

Visit to Turkey

€1.5 Million for the

introduction of a Fodder

Import Support Measure.

St. Patrick’s Week in the

United Kingdom

Early opening of the 2018

Basic Payment Scheme

Application Process

Food Wise High Level

Implementation Committee

Beef Roundtable

Meeting Key Figure in

European Parliament visit

€27.9m in funding for

Capital Projects at Irelands

6 Fishery Harbour Centres

and Publically owned Har-

bour Network

Selection of 19 Projects for

the Next Phase of the

European Innovation

Partnerships Initiative

IMPORTANT DATES

Page 15

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