Remarks by President McAleese On the occasion of the Opening of the World Meat Congress
Remarks by President McAleese On the occasion of the Opening of the World Meat Congress RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin
I am delighted to have been invited here this morning to open the 12th World Meat Congress. It gives me great pleasure to extend a “Céad Míle Fáilte” - one hundred thousand welcomes to our many visitors to Ireland here today. I am sure that you will enjoy your visit here, make many new friends and take home a store of fresh shared memories. Certainly, I would encourage you to extend your stay if possible so that you can get a real flavour of what Ireland has to offer in terms of beautiful landscapes, great music, fine food and friendly people.
I would like to thank An Bord Bia for organising the Congress. Clearly, the organisation of such a major event requires lengthy and painstaking organisation and I think that An Bord Bia should be congratulated, firstly, for their success in securing the Congress for Ireland and, secondly, for arranging such an interesting and impressive panel of speakers.
I understand that this is the first time that the Congress has been held in Ireland and the first time it has been held in Europe since 1991. I am also told that some 600 people from more than 30 countries will attend over the next two days with 40 journalists covering the event. This certainly represents very strong interest in the proceedings of the International Meat Secretariat, which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. I would like to congratulate the Secretariat on its work over the past 25 years and I hope that it will continue to serve its Members equally well for the next 25 years.
I have no doubt but that there was very strong competition for the honour of staging the prestigious event. Equally, I have no doubt that you have chosen well in selecting Ireland as the location for 1999. You came to the right place! Meat plays a very important role in the Irish diet and an even more important role in the Irish economy, particularly in relation to employment on farms and in the processing industry and in relation to foreign trade. Cattle production has a long history in Ireland and many of our myths and legends involve cattle raids or disputes over ownership of cattle. The vast majority of Irish farmers rear cattle either for milk or beef which is not surprising as Ireland’s lush green landscape is particularly suited to cattle rearing. You will see this for yourselves if you have time to visit the countryside with cattle grazing peacefully on our legendary verdant pastures. This type of extensive production system is becoming increasingly rare in Europe but I am pleased to see that the policy of the European Union recognises the important role this kind of agriculture has to play in rural areas.
The theme of the Congress “Competing with Confidence” is most appropriate as we approach the new millennium. The international meat trade has always been highly competitive, but in today’s world of exacting quality controls, consumer scientific literacy, of instantly communicated concerns - today's market place is not for the faint-hearted. This Congress gives those of you who are involved in the business an opportunity to reflect on lessons to be learned from the past and to indulge in some essential crystal ball gazing with a view to planning appropriate strategies for the future. Looking at the list of speakers, it is evident that you have assembled a considerable array of talent and I am sure that they will bring new insights into what is well known to be a highly complex business. While I do not propose to offer any particular insights on international trade in meat, as a consumer I believe that the interests and concerns of consumers must be given a central role in your reflections not only because your industry is ultimately entirely dependent on the consumer but more particularly because of the central role that meat plays in the diets of the majority of people. I am pleased that this is the central theme for today’s deliberations. Consumers need to trust the chain of supply. They need to have complete confidence in it. Your own confidence in your business is directly related to that trust. Contented, trusting consumers are people who buy your products, who keep the market growing, keep the industry alive and healthy. Build the trust and you build a confidence that flows both ways.
I note that trade and policy issues will be covered tomorrow and that you have managed to persuade a number of senior figures such as Commissioner Fischler, Secretary Glickman and our own Agriculture Minister, Mr. Walsh, to share with you their views on these issues. I am, of course, aware that there is a wide diversity of agriculture in the World and one of the challenges facing policy makers in the various regions is how to harness this diversity to their mutual advantage. Too often, our tendency is to refuse to acknowledge the validity of systems which are different from our own and which we perceive as a threat which must be removed. I do appreciate that there are important economic interests at stake in international trade but it is important that, while pursuing our own economic interests, we also acknowledge the legitimate interests of our partners in international trade. The full inclusion of agriculture in the WTO under the Uruguay Round Agreement should contribute to the harmonious development of international trade. The old Irish saying “Ní neart go chur le chéile” comes to mind. Our strength is in our unity. Partnership - in particular or partnership with Europe has turned a small, inward looking country and flat economy into one of the world’s most successful economic and exporting nations. It is a story to be proud of – a story we want to sustain so that the generations to come can enjoy the fulfillment and prosperity which eluded so many in former times. Today’s Ireland exudes an economic and cultural confidence which stems from the creative energy at the heart of many of our enterprises – agriculture among them. We in Ireland know well how essential confidence and self-belief are in unleashing the creativity, imagination and risk-taking energy all enterprise needs. We wish you all well as you try to understand the complex forces you need to help converge, to build up, sustain and develop that confidence. May you leave this Conference full of ideas and full of conviction that your ambitions are realisable.
In conclusion, I hope that you have a very successful conference and a most enjoyable stay in Ireland.