Dunbia has welcomed the news that the company has been provisionally approved for exporting pork to China.
Dunbia Deputy Chief Executive Tony O’Neill said: “Dunbia is delighted with the provisional approval from China for our pork exports. There has been a concerted effort by the Department of Agriculture and industry to secure the opening of the Chinese market for the Northern Ireland pork industry through building relationships and working through the bureaucratic process and I would like to thank Minister O’Neill for her lead and commitment to the process,” comments Mr O’Neill. “This immensely significant breakthrough for Northern Ireland pork in the world’s biggest marketplace should pave the way for our excellent pig producers here to access the extensive opportunities there.”
Dunbia, who proccess 800,000 pigs per year, has been a leading advocate for securing the lucrative Chinese export market for Northern Ireland’s Agri-Food industry. The announcement is the culmination of intensive work which has been undertaken by government and industry.
“At Dunbia, we have attended trade missions to China with Invest NI and DEFRA and we have hosted Chinese delegations to our pork facility in Ballymena so it is particularly satisfying to see the fruits of our combined labours reflected in the announcement yesterday,” adds Mr O’Neill. “Developing export markets for the Northern Ireland Agri-Food industry is crucial for its future growth,” There is still work to do but we are committed to developing and growing excellent business relationships with Chinese markets over the coming months and years. We need to ensure that we can maximise the relationships built to open the markets for other commodities including beef.”
Dunbia Deputy Chief Executive Tony O’Neill pictured with the Deputy Consul General Madam Meng Yuhong, Chinese Consulate General.
