Fisheries sector to benefit from China trade mission – Harrington

Fine Gael Cork South West TD, Noel Harrington, has said that the Irish fisheries sector is to benefit from a successful trade mission to China by Minister for Agriculture and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD.

“The Government-led trade mission to China has been really positive for our fisheries sector. Today in Qingdao city, Minister Coveney opened the largest ever Irish pavilion at the China Seafood & Fisheries Expo, hosted by Bord Bia. This gives great exposure to Irish seafood in what is a rapidly expanding market for foreign food imports in China.

“We have seen in the past how beneficial these trade missions can be for our exports. The fisheries sector in particular benefitted from the last trade mission to China in 2011. Back then we were exporting a very small amount of seafood to China at approximately 4 million euros worth. In the two years since that trade mission we have increased that figure by over 300% to approximately €18 million worth of seafood exports.

“Our presence at this really significant expo in Qingdao means huge potential for further expansion of the Irish fisheries and seafood industry into Chinese markets. It is yet another example of how the Irish Government is really delivering for the fisheries sector. The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) was a coup for Ireland, ensuring €148 million in EU funds over the next six years, a doubling of the finding we received in the last CFP.

“Of particular interest to fishermen in the South West is the work completed this year to launch boarfish into the Chinese market. With a huge boarfish quota now available to Ireland of 88,000 tonnes, or one third of the European Quota, we have a great opportunity to seek new markets for this product. Its launch in China has the potential to create significant onshore employment in the processing sector in the South West and to add value for the fisherman involved.

“The fisheries and seafood sector is already hugely important for Irish jobs employing over 11,000 people around the country. This industry is the lifeblood of my own constituency of Cork South West where 80-90% of income in towns and villages like Castletownbere and Union Hall is directly related to fisheries.

“I commend Minister Coveney for ensuring huge exposure for Irish seafood at what is the largest trade show in China, with in excess of 25,000 visitors expected from over 100 countries.”