Irish delegation meeting with the Shangai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the People's Republic of China.

Irish seafood trade mission to China

 Micheál O’Mahony, SFPA

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) recently participated in the Irish trade mission to China led by Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This trip allowed the SFPA to continue to build on pre-existing linkages with relevant authorities in China responsible for checks and acceptance of Irish seafood entering China.

In China, the SFPA participated in meetings with representatives from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), the organisation which carries out the import controls in China, at their headquarters in Beijing.

Irish delegation meeting with the Shangai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the People's Republic of China.

Representatives of the Chinese Certification and Accreditation Association (CNCA) responsible for registering products and companies to allow trade into China were also present. This was followed by a meeting at the AQSIQ’s Shandong regional offices in the Chinese sea-port of Quingdao where a significant amount of Irish food product arrives.

Francis O'Donnell, IFPO

What lies ahead for the seafood development agency?


The Public Service Reform Plan published on November 17 notes the IMDO and BIM to be: Candidate bodies for critical review by end June 2012.


Inshore Ireland asked Francis O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) if he thought BIM should remain a stand-alone agency or should be subsumed into its parent department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine:Francis O'Donnell, IFPO

Francis O'Donnell, IFPO


In the current climate tax payers need to see value for money and the streamlining of services where possible and practical. Equally, as an organisation that works closely with BIM it would be easy to be critical that such a review is happening at all. Reviews are what governments do. We cannot have an ‘a la carte’ approach – it would be disingenuous to say the least.

President of Ireland Mary McAleese; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney; Michelin star chef, Mario Sandoval and Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia

NutraMara: Food Research & Development targeting societal challenges in Europe

Dr Maria Hayes,
Teagasc Food Research Programme

The Marine environment represents an almost inexhaustible source of bioactive compounds and molecules for use in a myriad of applications including food, chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and bioengineering.

Functional foods are foods that impart health benefits to the consumer that go beyond those of basic, human and animal nutrition. The Marine Functional Foods Research Initiative, also known as the NutraMara programme, was established by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Marine Institute (MI).

Unveiling of the plaque at the National Seafood Centre

A seafood centre of excellence to drive added-value and innovation

A co-located, ‘one-stop-shop’ for seafood-related functions of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and BIM’s business innovation and seafood product development activities has officially opened for business.

Officiating, Simon Coveney TD, the minister with responsibility for the marine, said his department was committed to ensuring “every effort was made to position Ireland to take full advantage” of the major opportunities available to its seafood sector. The UN estimates that world demand for seafood will rise by an extra 42 million tonnes annually from 2030.

Unveiling of the plaque at the National Seafood Centre

Unveiling of the plaque at the National Seafood Centre

“I am focussed on firstly moving away from selling 85% of our seafood production in commodity form, and instead developing new high-value processed seafood products.” 

President of Ireland Mary McAleese; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney; Michelin star chef, Mario Sandoval and Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia

Bord Bia food initiative in Spain

President Mary McAleese has launched a Bord Bia initiative in Spain designed to boost the image and reputation of Irish food in the Spanish market. The project involves reaching out to student chefs at top catering schools across Spain to build stronger relationships with the future generation of chefs and to establish an awareness of, and loyalty to, Irish produce.

President of Ireland Mary McAleese; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney; Michelin star chef, Mario Sandoval and Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia

 

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney; Michelin star chef, Mario Sandoval and Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia

The President also attended the first of a series of ‘Irish Food Master Classes’ conducted by the internationally renowned Michelin star chef Mario Sandoval. These classes will provide trainee chefs with an insight and understanding of Ireland’s unique food and drink product offerings and highlight Ireland’s commitment to quality and sustainability.

President of Ireland Mary McAleese; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney; Michelin star chef, Mario Sandoval and Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia

Ireland’s potential as world seafood leader threatened by delays over Habitats Directive

IFA Aquaculture has welcomed the launch of the government’s Operational Programme investment scheme to develop the fish and shellfish farming industry. Notwithstanding, it says the prolonged failure by government to meet EU rules regarding Habitats Directive areas “has resulted in blocking 80% of aquaculture companies” who operate in designated habitats areas from access to the capital investment scheme.

“Seafood companies in other EU countries who compete with us enjoy full access to the scheme, IFA Aquaculture executive secretary, Richie Flynn told Inshore Ireland.

He added that a “massive amount of work” needs to be done to re-establish Ireland as a “major” seafood producer in Europe.

President of Ireland Mary McAleese; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney; Michelin star chef, Mario Sandoval and Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia

Should food producers fear food safety

Tim Coakley, Bantry Bay mussel grower

In 1999, Irish shellfish caused illness in continental Europe. The cause was marine biotoxins originating from red tides − a naturally occurring phenomenon worldwide. The consequences for the shellfish industry were profound: product recall and destruction, lost markets and near financial collapse. Our image as a food producer took a battering, and questions were asked about Ireland’s ability to regulate its food industry and ensure consumer safety.

The problems were a body blow to the shellfish industry. The regulation of marine biotoxins had often been the subject of bitter disputes between shellfish producers and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources as the competent authority for Ireland.

President of Ireland Mary McAleese; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney; Michelin star chef, Mario Sandoval and Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia

Feeding brains – let’s get the fats right

Feeding brains – let’s get the fats right
President of Ireland Mary McAleese; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney; Michelin star chef, Mario Sandoval and Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia

Transporting crab to market

Transporting crab to market