Olivia Mitchell
Question:80 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will report on the recent visit of the Minister of State to Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13915/03]
Written Answers. - Official Engagements.
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Treacy, led a delegation of Irish food companies and research institutions involved in the development of the Irish functional foods sector to Japan recently. The purpose of the visit was to develop closer linkages between the growing Irish functional food sector and that of Japan, a country with acknowledged expertise and experience in the field and regarded as a world leader in this sector.
The visit was organised by Enterprise Ireland and formed a key part of the Government's strategy to develop the functional foods sector in Ireland. Further development of products which fall into this category are an essential part of the move towards greater value added food production in this country and the visit exposed some of the leading Irish companies to the potential offered in this area. The Irish delegation met with many of the leading Japanese dairy and functional foods companies and Government bodies, as well as visiting a number of research institutes.
During his trip, the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, also met with the Deputy Japanese Agriculture Minister, Mr. Naoti Kitamura, at which meeting a range of topics of interest to both countries were discussed including WTO, agriculture policy reform and issues of trade in food and agriculture. A meeting was also held at official level, with the official Japanese import agency, ALIC, where discussions took place on specific aspects of trade from Ireland to Japan. The Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, hosted a reception at the Irish Embassy in Tokyo, for a large attendance, including importers of Irish food products and the representatives of the various companies and institutes who were visited during the trip.
The Irish delegation also included a representative of An Bord Bia and the opportunity of the visit was used to promote the export of Irish food products to Japan, including in particular pigmeat, where we have an important and valuable presence, as well as milk and beef products. Overall, the mission was considered to be very successful and it is hoped that it will have a positive impact for this particular sector of the Irish food industry.