Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

86. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a food-related trade mission to the United Arab Emirates is scheduled for early in the new year. [48858/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is currently developing its 2024 Ministerial led agri-food trade mission schedule but at this time I do not plan to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2024.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) 13^thMinisterial Conference (MC13) is currently scheduled to take place in the UAE in February 2024. The agenda for this Ministerial Conference is still being finalised. Participation in this Ministerial Conference is not yet decided. However, as it may provide opportunities to develop a programme of trade promotion events as part of any such visit, I will be keeping this matter under review.

In February 2022 I led a successful Trade Mission to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. This Mission included Government to Government discussions and engagements with key Irish customers in dairy, meat, prepared foods, FDI and the horse racing sectors. It also encompassed the Gulf food Trade fair, one of the world's largest food fairs, and the Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods week at EXPO 2020 in Dubai.

My Department, including the Agriculture Attaché in the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Bord Bia's Middle East/Gulf regional market team, continue to support Irish agri-food businesses in engaging with these markets and to realise the opportunities identified during this trade mission.