Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
893. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the details of the discussions that took place recently with his Norwegian counterpart and Norwegian seafood companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13222/14]
View answerThe North Atlantic Seafood Forum (NASF), which recently took place in Bergen, Norway, is the world’s biggest seafood investment conference attracting more than 600 industry seafood players from 35 countries. As the only EU Fisheries Minister to be invited to speak at this prestigious event I spoke to delegates about the importance of seafood for global food security and separately updated delegates on the new reformed EU Common Fisheries Policy which was negotiated to conclusion by the Irish Presidency in 2013.
In addition to my role as speaker at the event, I met with my Norwegian counterpart at the Conference Minister Monica Maeland. We discussed issues of common interest, including the then ongoing negotiations on North East Atlantic Mackerel which is of such importance to both countries.
I was also able, along with BIM, to meet with a number of seafood companies with a view to broadening and deepening cooperation to the mutual benefit of the Norwegian and Irish seafood sectors. Specifically, we explored opportunities for the Irish seafood processing industry and took the opportunity to learn more about Norway’s aquaculture industry and how it perceived the future development of the industry. A key focus throughout my discussions was on encouraging, wherever possible, new inward investment across the Irish seafood sector. I fully believe there will be considerable benefits for Ireland both from a job creation and investment perspective from my visit to the North Atlantic Seafood Forum.
