Story Highlights
- Ireland and Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance Agri-Food Partnership; sustainable agriculture, innovation, and food safety under the Ireland-Vietnam Agrifood Partnership (IVAP) programme.
- The IVAP programme aims to transform Vietnam’s agri-food systems, emphasizing sustainable production, food safety, innovation, and quality. Vietnamese officials toured key Irish agricultural institutions to exchange knowledge.
- Growing agri-food trade includes a focus on Irish beef in Vietnam. An Irish trade mission to Vietnam is planned for October 2024, involving key stakeholders and aiming to leverage the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.
Ireland and Vietnam Forge Agri-Food Partnership to Boost Sustainable Agriculture
In a significant step towards enhancing agri-food cooperation, Ireland has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment. This agreement aims to strengthen the diplomatic and trade relationship between the two nations, focusing on sustainable agricultural practices, innovation, and food safety.
The Agreement and Its Signatories
The MoU was signed on behalf of Ireland by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, whose responsibilities include new market development. Representing Vietnam, Vice Minister Do Thanh Trung signed the agreement during his study tour in Ireland this week.
This partnership falls under the Ireland-Vietnam Agrifood Partnership (IVAP) programme, which is managed by Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI) and funded by the Irish embassy in Vietnam. While the agreement itself does not directly pertain to Irish market access to Vietnam, it signifies a robust commitment to mutual growth and collaboration in the agri-food sector.
Objectives of the Ireland-Vietnam Agrifood Partnership
The IVAP programme is designed to support Vietnam in transforming its agri-food systems, focusing on several key areas:
- Sustainable Primary Production Systems: Enhancing agricultural practices to ensure sustainability and environmental protection.
- Food Safety: Implementing measures to ensure the safety and quality of food products.
- Innovation: Encouraging the development and adoption of new technologies and methods in agriculture.
- Quality: Improving the standards and quality of agricultural products.
The visit of the Vietnamese delegation to Ireland was a part of this programme, emphasizing knowledge exchange in enterprise, cooperative development, and agri-food innovation.
Key Visits and Knowledge Exchange
During their visit, the Vietnamese delegation toured several significant agricultural and food institutions in Ireland:
- Bord Bia: Ireland’s food board, responsible for promoting Irish food, drink, and horticulture.
- Irish Cooperative Organisation Society (ICOS): Focused on the development of cooperative societies.
- Tirlán: A leading Irish dairy cooperative.
- Teagasc Moorepark: A research and development center for the Irish agriculture and food industry.
These visits facilitated a rich exchange of knowledge and practices, contributing to the ongoing programme of skills development and research under the IVAP.
Comments from Irish Officials
Minister Heydon highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating,
“We continue to pioneer improvements in agriculture in Ireland. There are lessons we have learned from transforming our own agri-food systems that can be adapted to the environmental and economic challenges faced by agriculture in countries such as Vietnam.”
He further emphasized Ireland’s commitment to leveraging its EU membership to foster beneficial trade relationships,
“As an EU member state, Ireland is keen to work with Vietnam to ensure that both of our countries can continue to benefit mutually from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.”
Future Prospects
The agri-food trade between Ireland and Vietnam has been steadily growing, with Irish beef being identified as a priority market in Vietnam. To build on this momentum, an Irish trade mission to Vietnam is scheduled for October 2024. This mission will include visits to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, involving key stakeholders from Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, the SFSI, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The signing of the MoU, according to Agriland, marks a pivotal moment in Ireland and Vietnam’s agri-food relations, paving the way for increased collaboration and mutual benefits. By focusing on sustainable practices and innovation, this partnership aims to address the agricultural challenges of both nations, fostering a resilient and prosperous agri-food sector.
