Minister Han Changfu met with Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) of Ireland, and his delegation in Beijing on Nov. 3, 2014. The two sides exchanged views on further agricultural cooperation between China and Ireland.
At the meeting, Minister Han spoke highly of the bilateral agricultural cooperation, stressing that the two countries have built a solid foundation for future cooperation. He noted that China stands ready to work together with Ireland to promote bilateral agricultural cooperation toward common development in the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefits.
Minister Han also put forward the following proposals for future cooperation: i) to improve China-Ireland agricultural cooperation mechanism and establish a Agricultural Working Group; ii) to enhance cooperation in agri-product quality and safety, livestock, animal health and fisheries; and iii) to effectively implement the MOU on bilateral cooperation in agriculture and fisheries signed by the two Ministries in 2012.
Coveney agreed with Minister Han on his proposal. He expressed his wish to enhance cooperation with China in agrifood production and food-processing for joint development. Coveney briefed the Chinese delegation on the newly-established Sustainable Food System Ireland under DAFM.
Chief Economist Bi Meijia also attended the meeting.