A number of important advances have been made in the development of Irish exports of beef, seafood and thoroughbred horses to China. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, met with Minister for Chinese Quarantine and Inspection Service, Zhi Shuping (today, April 18), marking the second formal bilateral meeting between the two men.

Prestigious members of the Chinese dairy industry met with leading figures in Irish agriculture this week at Alltech's European headquarters in Dunboyne, Co Meath. The meeting was designed to encourage closer collaboration between China and Ireland, particularly with regard to their dairy industries.

Bord Bia has hosted an interactive workshop providing insight to some 30 Irish food and drink exporters on China’s number one mobile messaging app, WeChat.

Following the recent launch of Irish beef in the US for the first time in more than 15 years, China has also lifted its ban on Irish beef.

China will become the first billion-euro market for Irish food and drink exports outside of the UK within the next three years, according to Bord Bia.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has announced the opening of the Chinese beef market to exports from Ireland.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, has hosted a major China-Ireland food safety forum in the dairy and infant formula sectors.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has welcomed a very positive and constructive engagement with Mr Zhi Shuping, the senior Minister with responsibility for the Quarantine Inspection Service in China (AQSIQ). The Minster is a key contact for Ireland when it comes to the negotiation of access for Irish agri-food products to the Chinese market.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Micheal Creed, has desribed the Chinese leg of his Asian trade mission as 'hugely successful'. The Minister attended approximately 20 separate events, spread over three days in Beijing and Shanghai, which have a combined population of around 46 million people.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Michael Creed, has launched a new University College Dublin (UCD) bachelor of agricultural science degree programme entitled food business with Chinese studies.

Mairead McGuinness MEP and vice-president of the European Parliament recently addressed the serious issue facing Ireland regarding waste management arising from the immediate ban imposed by China on imports of plastic and the potential threat posed by Brexit, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

The visit to an Irish beef and dairy farm by Premier Li of China has been described by Bord Bia as another important step in securing further market opportunities for Irish exporters in this high-potential market.