Vietnam - Ireland strengthen cooperation, sustainable development in agriculture

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien expressed gratitude towards Mr. Martin Heydon, Head of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland, for always supporting and promoting bilateral cooperation in particular and the development of agriculture and rural sector of the two countries in general.

Mr. Heydon highly evaluated the potential of cooperation between the Irish and Vietnamese agricultural sectors. He fully believed that the collaboration between the two ministries would create a solid foundation for promoting each country's strengths and complementing each other in agricultural development.

Ireland is the second largest country in the world in terms of GDP (US$ 102,218 per capita in 2022). Despite accounting for only a small portion of GDP (1%), agriculture plays an essential role in food security (Ireland has come second of 113 countries assessed for food security according to the latest Global Food Security Index), exports, and employment in the agricultural value chain (creating jobs for 9% of the total workforce).

Ireland has natural grasslands all year round, thus good conditions for developing beef cattle, dairy cows, and sheep. This is Ireland's strength to create green, sustainable agriculture, ensure food safety and animal welfare. Mr. Heydon hoped that Vietnam would create favorable conditions for Irish livestock products to access the Vietnamese market.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien proposed the Irish side cooperate to improve capacity and further training on modern agriculture management; share experiences in developing organic agriculture; build a safe food and agricultural product management system with traceability; and promote cooperation in cow and dairy farming - an area Ireland has expertise in. 

According to Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, currently there are 480 Vietnamese businesses allowed to export fishery products to the EU market, including Ireland. But the export of fishery products to the EU market is actually facing many problems because the EU has applied a yellow card to Vietnam's fishing industry since October 23, 2017. The Deputy Minister requested Mr. Heydon to continue his support and call on EU member states to consider removing the yellow card applied to Vietnam's fishery products soon.

It is deemed essential for both sides to consider promoting technical cooperation, sharing experiences, and transferring technology to encourage the development of marine aquaculture on an industrial scale as well as ecological farming in a sustainable direction. Vietnam and Ireland will put more effort into promoting social security, environmental protection, and adaptation to climate change. It is also important to strengthen technical cooperation and transfer to efficiently use energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the field of agriculture and fishery.

Both parties continued to discuss several issues at the meeting, mainly activities related to conservation measures, sustainable management of marine resources and aquatic products that affect bilateral trade, traceability of exploited products, and the prevention of IUU fishing.

Regarding animal product trade, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien asked the Irish professional agencies to provide the requirements on veterinary hygiene and food safety for poultry products processed in Vietnam into the Irish market. This will help both countries increase livestock product trade.

As for plant-based product trade, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien suggested the Irish side support capacity building and training. Relevant units can improve capacity in building a database on plant-based phytosanitary products, promote market opening, assess harmful organisms, and manage pesticides.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien also called on the Irish side to improve capacity, train and exchange experts and students, exchange information on laws and regulations related to quality control and food safety of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, import and export between the two countries; share advanced scientific and technological applications; support each other to participate in international and regional forums in the field of rural development and poverty reduction.

The "Memorandum of Understanding between between the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine of Ireland and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam" aims to encourage, support, and boost cooperation in the following areas:

1. Cooperation in exchanging genetic resources of plants and animals in agriculture and fisheries.

2. Cooperation on technology for preserving and processing agricultural and aquatic products.

3. Cooperation on food and food quality management.

4. Investment promotion and trade promotion between enterprises of the two countries in agriculture and fisheries.

5. Promote research and training programs and exchange experts and students in related fields of agriculture.

6. Organize seminars, symposiums, and exchange of information on agriculture and rural development in each country.

7. To promote cooperation between regions and regions of the two countries in agriculture and rural development.

8. Other fields of cooperation in agriculture that the participating parties agree on.