Heydon to meet EU commissioner for agriculture in Japan
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon is set to meet with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen in Japan this week.
The meeting comes as Minister Heydon is currently leading a major agri-food government trade mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan.
The trade mission, in collaboration with Bord Bia, and Enterprise Ireland, runs until Saturday (June 14) and will include political meetings, as well as market development engagement at a series of trade events with commercial representatives.
The minister will be present for the Seoul Food, Korea's largest international exhibition for the food, drink, hotel, and food service industry.
He will also attend Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan which is expected to attract more than 28 million visitors, with participation by 160 countries.
Japan
Commissioner Hansen is visiting Japan in a bid 'to strengthen agricultural ties' and showcase the EU agri-food sector at the Osaka World Expo.
The visit comes as Japan remains the EU's fifth-largest market for agri-food exports, worth €8.3 billion in 2024.
The trading relationship has been underpinned by the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement which is in force since 2019.
In Tokyo, Commissioner Hansen will deliver a keynote speech at the EU-Japan Business Forum and will meet with members of Japan's House of Representatives.
He will hold a series of meetings, including with Yoichi Watanabe, Vice-Minister for International Affairs; Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; and Hirofumi Takinami, State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
In Osaka, the commissioner will engage with ambassadors from EU member states.
On Thursday (June 12), Commissioner Hansen will deliver a keynote speech at the EU Policy Event at Osaka World Expo 2025.
During this speech, he is expected to highlight EU food excellence and the EU's commitment to sustainable and innovative agriculture.
Alongside the expo, the commissioner will meet with President of Finland Alexander Stubb, and the Irish and Lithuanian agriculture ministers, Martin Heydon and Ignas Hoffman.
Hansen will also have discussions with the State Secretary for Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of The Netherlands, Jean Rummenie.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
7 minutes ago
- The Journal
Government rejects motion calling on it to stop sale of 'Israeli war bonds'
GOVERNMENT HAS REJECTED a joint-proposal from the opposition which called on the Central Bank to stop facilitating the sale of Israeli bonds within the EU, an issue that has moved up the political agenda in Ireland in recent months. The motion, put forward by the Social Democrats and supported by Sinn Féin, People Before Profit and the Labour Party, sought the reversal of a previous government decision to block a bill calling for the same measure last month . Members of those parties on Monday requested that a free 'vote of conscience' take place on the issue – meaning that government TDs would not have to vote with their party. The motion was defeated this evening 85 to 71 in the government's favour. Israeli State Bonds have been advertised as a method to support the country's economy and, more recently, websites promoting the investments have emphasised their importance to Israel's military operations in Gaza. Some TDs, as a result, have dubbed the securities as 'Israeli war bonds'. Coalition-supporting TDs, independents Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole, repeated their vote to support the opposition's call . Both TDs previously said that they had a right to vote, as independents, in a manner they agreed with, pointing out that the programme for government does not include references to the issue. Advertisement Bonds from countries outside the EU must have legal documents approved by a central bank from a member state in order for the securities to be sold within the European single market. In the case of Israel, the country is Ireland. A protest outside the Dáil today calling on government to support the opposition's motion. Alamy Alamy The Central Bank itself is responsible for assessing whether the products it offers are compliant with these EU requirements. Since Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and Israel's subsequent bombardment and siege of Gaza, there has been mounting pressure on the Government from pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland to stop the facilitation of the sale of these bonds. But, Governor of the Central Bank Gabriel Makhlouf today defended its offerings, telling TDs at an Oireachtas Committee that the UN's Genocide Convention applies only to the Irish State, not the country's banking regulator. Activists have demonstrated at the site in Dublin over the last number of months and have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns. Speaking during a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting this evening, finance minister Paschal Donohoe told members that oppositional TDs wanted the government to tell the state's banking regulator what to do, despite its mandated independence. The Dublin Central TD said government cannot approve legislation that impedes on the independence of the Central Bank for legal purposes. Opposition TDs argued this evening that, as the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, Ireland has obligations under the UN's Genocide Convention to use 'all means likely to have a deterrent effect' on those suspected of committing such crimes. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
8 minutes ago
- The Journal
Leisure centre in Larne set alight by rioters as violence extends beyond Ballymena
LAST UPDATE | 20 mins ago A LEISURE CENTRE in Larne in Northern Ireland has been set on fire by rioters as violence seen in Ballymena over the last two nights spreads to other areas. Footage shared online shows masked individuals smashing windows and setting fires outside Larne Leisure Centre. The fire has since been brought under control, according to the local fire service. Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said: 'Larne does not need this.' Police have been deployed for a third night in a row in Ballymena. The Belfast Telegraph has reported that police are also at the scene of disorder in Coleraine , where footage online has shown bins set alight near a train track. Larne leisure centre has been attacked by masked thugs. Windows smashed and fires lit nearby. Larne does not need this. — Danny Donnelly MLA (@DannyDonnelly1) June 11, 2025 Ulster Unionist Party MLA John Stewart described the events in Larne as 'despicable and disgraceful' 'The violence, vandalism, and intimidation seen this evening have absolutely no place in our society,' Stewart said. Advertisement He said the leisure centre is a 'vital community asset at the very heart of Larne' and that 'to see it targeted in such a senseless and deliberate manner is both truly shocking and deeply saddening'. Riot police have been deployed to different parts of Antrim, including in Larne (pictured) this evening. Alamy Alamy The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has deployed riot police in Ballymena for the third consecutive night as a significant crowd gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. Demonstrators who gathered on Bridge Street near the residential area were told to disperse shortly before 9pm after a firework was thrown at officers. Petrol bombs and fireworks, as well as other projectiles, have been thrown at police this evening. Earlier today, the PSNI requested assistance from police forces in Britain following the violence in Ballymena over the last two nights. The PSNI said 17 officers were injured, and six people were arrested last night, after violent disorder erupted for a second night in a row. Multiple cars and properties were set on fire while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers. Riot police block a road close to Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena this evening Jonathan McCambridge / PA Jonathan McCambridge / PA / PA Alongside the injuring of police officers, much of the violence has been targeted at homes that rioters believe to belong to people from eastern European countries. Related Reads PSNI seeks reinforcements from Britain as Starmer condemns 'mindless' Ballymena violence I went to talk to people in Ballymena, and was told to make myself 'scarce' or there'd be trouble On Monday, two teenage boys appeared in court charged with the sexual assault of a young teenage girl. The two teenagers spoke through a Romanian translator. The Journal has documented some of the damage done by rioters in Ballymena, including to the home of a Bulgarian man who was targeted, a neighbouring home where the window of a child's bedroom was smashed in, and a home belonging to Filipinos who had to leave because of the extensive damage. On Clonavon Terrace, where four homes were burnt on Monday night, a Romanian teenager told The Journal that the rioters claim to be fighting for the victim of the alleged sexual assault but they're 'just destroying their own town'. 'Where is the justice for this poor girl? This isn't justice for her, this is just racism destroying where we live,' the teenager said. A pram and wheelchair outside the smashed window of a child's bedroom in Ballymena Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal / The Journal Additional reporting by Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
18 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Government will be on 'the wrong side' of history over Israeli bonds decision, opposition says
The Government has been warned it is on the "the wrong side" of history after rejecting a motion to prevent the facilitation of Israeli war bonds. Opposition parties united behind a motion demanding the Government enact emergency legislation to explicitly force the Central Bank to stop facilitating the sale of Israel bonds. The Social Democrats motion, supported by Sinn Féin, Labour, and People Before Profit-Solidarity also called on the coalition to advise the bank that "by acting as the enabling cog in Israel's fund-raising machine in the EU, it is putting the State at risk of a charge of complicity in genocide". However, the Government's countermotion stated that it had "received advice from the Attorney General that recently proposed legislation to introduce 'restrictive measures' was not compatible with our obligations as members of the EU and in conflict with Article 215 and Article 63 Treaty on the Functioning of the EU". The motion with the amendment put forward by the Government was then passed by 85 votes to 71. Speaking in the Dáil ahead of the vote, finance minister Paschal Donohoe said: "Despite the human feelings I have and the determination of the Government to respond to this, I have to recognise the law with regard to the EU and the law that recognises the independent operation of the Central Bank of Ireland." But Social Democrats TD Cian O'Callaghan claimed that the Government was "hiding behind technicalities" and could act on the matter if it wanted to. Let us be clear about this. Genocide is taking place and is being part-funded by the sale of Israeli bonds including in Europe, which is being facilitated by the Irish Central Bank. Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty described Mr Donohoe's response as "shameful", adding: "History will show that the minister is on the wrong side of this issue. He has used carefully constructed words to tell us what we cannot do. "However, the reality is that if Government wants to initiate national measures that will ensure that the Central Bank does not sign off on a prospective and therefore, not facilitate the sale of these war bonds in Ireland, then it can do so."
