News

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D. visited County Kildare on Wednesday 11^th May as part of his nationwide tour which will see him visit every county in the country before the end of the year.

The “Backing Rural Ireland” tour will see the Minister meet with farmers and fishers, as well as food and drink producers, and local businesses.

During these visits, the Minister will take the opportunity to visit farms, piers and food production locations to see first-hand the work that goes into making our great food and drink and will discuss opportunities and challenges for the year ahead.

In Kildare, the Minister visited Ross O’Sullivan’s racing yard in Kill where he talked with Ross and his team about their operations and viewed training and practice sessions. His next stop was McCarthy Strawberries in Sallins where he toured their fantastic growing facilities. He visited the UCD Lyons farm on the Lyons Estate which is a great example of exercising practical and science based farming together with great outputs. The Minister visited the National Stud where he met with the leadership team and staff to view the world-class amenity, while there he also met with Cathy Grassick and team to discuss breeding matters. Last but not least, the Minister visited Dan O’Loughlin’s farm in Mountrice and met with local farmers. The Minister was joined by James Lawless TD and Senator Fiona O’Loughlin on his tour.

Commenting on the tour, Minister McConalogue said “Our farmers, fishers, food and drink producers and equine sector are the backbone of rural Ireland and are the everyday heroes that ensure food is on our tables every day. They also are the backbone of our €13.5bn food export sector. They support so many jobs and industries in every part of rural Ireland and ensure that we have a balanced regional economy. I will be visiting every county in Ireland to meet with some of those people and businesses in our communities who produce our world-famous food. I look forward to see you during the year and thank you for facilitating me in Kildare.”