Smith Selling Beef In Germany

Minister Smith also met with Frau Ilse Aigner, the recently appointed Federal Minister for Agriculture, to deepen the important partnership with the German Government on agricultural issues.

Visiting Munich, Düsseldorf and Berlin, on Sunday Minister Smith took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade through Munich city centre, which is the largest of its kind in continental Europe.

He also participated in promotional events on behalf of Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Enterprise Ireland.

Minister Smith took the opportunity of his visit to reassure local pork processors and consumers about the quality and safety of Irish pork.

He also met with major retailers and participated in the Irish Beef promotion currently underway in the Karstadt store in Berlin.

"The St. Patrick's Day celebrations are an absolutely key and unique annual opportunity for Ireland to showcase itself throughout the world," he said before his visit.

"Never has it been more important for us to clearly demonstrate that we are very much open for business and to send a message that Ireland has a clear and comprehensive strategy for dealing with the impact of the current economic situation.

"This strategy is centred on four distinct cornerstones: sorting out the banking situation; addressing the gap in our public finances; protecting jobs and restoring competitiveness; and investing in those who are out of work.

"I intend to take this message to Germany, which is an absolutely key market for our food exports.

"As well as meeting key stakeholders and clients of our state agencies, I intend to assure the German retail market and the German consumer that Irish food is of the very highest quality", he concluded.