Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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263. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to have a major agriculture trade mission to the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43041/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I led a trade mission to the US in June 2014, the objectives of which were focused on the following:

- Expansion of the footprint of Irish Dairy companies in the US with the opening of the Irish Dairy Board facility in Wisconsin, with total investment valued at €70m;

- Market access: Highlighting at a political level, the importance of the TTIP trade negotiations and in obtaining market access for Irish beef and sheepmeat into the US market in addition to Grade A equivalence for our dairy products;

- Foreign Direct Investment: At business level promoting Ireland as a suitable location for FDI in the agrifood sector and as an ideal location for R&D innovation, while at the same time promoting Irish agrifood related companies currently located in the US.

Arising from the Trade mission and from the ongoing work in the Department in relation to market access, Ireland was one of only two countries in the EU to have been inspected by the US in the process of gaining market access for beef to the US.  Ireland is also only one of three countries included in the pilot project in relation to Grade A equivalence for dairy and was the first to have its inspection visit. By being to the forefront Ireland would hope to be in a position to take full advantage of access into the US when it is announced which will be very beneficial for our companies wishing to trade in the US.