Minisiter Michelle O’Neill heading to China to secure pork exports

AGRICULTURE Minister Michelle O’Neill is making a return trip to China today as efforts are stepped up to secure a market for Northern Ireland pork.

The Sinn Fein MLA O”Neill will meet with Chinese officials with responsibility for food standards.

China is set to become the world’s largest consumer of pork, surpassing the EU by 2022.

The minister said she would use the visit to build on an “important relationship” between both countries.

Inspectors from China made two trips to pork plants in Northern Ireland in April as part of the approval process.

Said the Minister: “I am hopeful my visit will maintain momentum on the approval process.”

Northern Ireland already exports dairy products and animal hides to China.