Ireland expects opportunity wide-opened for beef to enter Vietnam

The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine held a bilateral meeting in Hanoi on September 7 to promote trade activities, seek cooperation, and increase exchanges of experience and knowledge in agriculture, food, and aquaculture.

During the discussion, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Le Minh Hoan noted that, as a result of recent advances in transforming agriculture into a knowledge-based industry, Ireland may share a range of experiences with Vietnam's efforts to intellectualize its agriculture. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) creates several prospects for multilateral and bilateral collaboration between Vietnam and EU nations (including Ireland), as well as between MARD and the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. However, in addition to agricultural product trade cooperation, Vietnam hopes to absorb the expertise and experience of the latter in order to improve agriculture comprehensively.

Minister Le Minh Hoan requested that the two parties sign a new Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural cooperation to recognize the implementation of the EVFTA Agreement since the epidemic as well as their strong pledges at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference.

According to the new memorandum, MARD proposed that Ireland assist Vietnam in enhancing capacity training and modern agricultural management; sharing experiences in developing circular agriculture, organic agriculture, and digital agriculture; constructing a food system that is safe and compliant with the export standards of the EU market, including Ireland; and advancing the dairy cow production.

Vietnam has become the 15th largest exporter in the world in terms of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, with export turnover reaching USD 48.6 billion in 2021. Vietnamese agricultural products are exported to 115 countries and territories, including some of the world's leading commodity groups such as rice, coffee, pepper, cashew, high rubber, wood, and wood products (shrimp, pangasius).

Since the implementation of the EVFTA, these items are supplied in a number of the EU's main distribution centers. Nonetheless, Vietnam needs Ireland's assistance to leverage the EU market.

Approximately 480 Vietnamese businesses are already authorized to export seafood to the EU, but this sector continues to face significant challenges due to the "yellow card" for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing operations.

Minister Le Minh Hoan stated that the fishing industry impacts around 800,000 fishermen and four million people on shore. Leaders of Vietnam's agricultural sector requested Ireland's cooperation and aid in removing the "yellow card" issue and resolving IUU in accordance with Vietnam's unique circumstances.

In addition, the MARD proposed that Ireland cooperate in the development and application of technology and techniques and share knowledge in the field of marine aquaculture, which is a strength of Ireland and the Nordic countries, thereby assisting Vietnam's aquaculture industry to develop in line with its potential, conforming to the direction of sustainable aquaculture development, and mitigating negative impacts on the marine ecosystem.

Vietnam's agriculture industry also needs Ireland's assistance with short-term and long-term offline and online training courses for human resources. Minister Le Minh Hoan stated that quality human resources will not only support the growth of Vietnam's agriculture but also act as a bridge to foster collaboration between the two nations.

Minister of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine on behalf of Ireland Martin Heydon affirmed that Ireland is prepared to assist Vietnam on several fronts to fulfill its sustainable development goals as well as the suggestions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the upcoming MoU. 

In the framework of bilateral trade, the export of agricultural goods and food from both parties has increased. In 2021, Ireland exported more than 30 million euros worth of food and drinks to Vietnam, a 55% increase from 2020.  Vietnam's export volume rose from 9.7 million euros to 19.7 million euros in terms of food and agricultural products. 

"We wish to foster collaboration, pursue commercial possibilities, and sell agricultural and food items to Vietnam, particularly beef. As ninety percent of the beef we produce is destined for export, we are eager for this product to reach the Vietnamese market," stated Mr. Heydon.

The Department of Animal Health (MARD) and a representative agency of the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine of Ireland have completed the first step of the risk assessment, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced at the meeting that it will send an inspection team to Ireland by the end of the year to evaluate beef. Minister Le Minh Hoan anticipated that the forthcoming inspection visit will broaden the scope of experience exchange, collaboration in animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, and the manufacturing of vaccines for livestock and poultry diseases.