From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., today hosted a constructive meeting with the recently appointed US Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. Minister McConalogue opened the meeting by congratulating Mr Vilsack on his re-appointment as Secretary of Agriculture.
In a discussion on Brexit and the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol, Minister McConalogue acknowledged “the support and understanding of President Biden and his Administration in relation to peace and stability in Northern Ireland, including through support of the Good Friday Agreement and effective application of the Protocol.”
Minister McConalogue stated, “The meeting was a timely opportunity to engage with our American friends on matters of both mutual and individual concern. Our discussions today included climate change and the need to embrace research and technology and to work in partnership with farmers in meeting the significant challenge ahead. Secretary Vilsack and I acknowledged the opportunity to collaborate on research involving Ireland, Northern Ireland and the USA on finding solutions to these challenges.”
Trade issues were also discussed and it was agreed that Irish and US officials will continue to engage on these matters. Minister McConalogue referenced Secretary Vilsack’s role when Ireland first achieved beef access to the US market in 2015, and expressed the hope that progress can be made soon in relation to sheepmeat access.
Minister McConalogue concluded, “We held a fruitful conversation today on many issues and Secretary Vilsack and I agreed to co-operate and collaborate on challenges facing Agriculture and to work to facilitate trade for everyone’s benefit.”