South Mayo farm visited by Chinese Premier

WARM RECEPTION?An Taoiseach Enda Kenny is pictured in conversation with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang; his wife Professor Cheng and Mary Garvey and her son Donal, in the Garvey living room, after the high profile farm visit on Sunday.

South Mayo farm visited by Chinese Premier


A farm in rural south Mayo was on the world stage at the weekend when it was visited by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his state visit to the country.
The Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and his wife, Professor Cheng Hong, were met at Cathal and Mary Garvey’s farm in Gorthbrack, near Glencorrib, by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his wife, Fionnuala.
The visit was designed to showcase the best that Ireland has to offer in terms of high-quality food production and hospitality. Premier Li and his wife were accompanied by a large delegation of Chinese ministers, including the Agriculture Minister Han Changfu.
“I was delighted to welcome Premier Li Keqiang to Ireland. It is very significant that the Premier chose to visit our country,” said Mr Kenny.
“Earlier this year, [Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney] announced at the Fine Gael National Conference in Castlebar that China had lifted its ban on Irish beef, paving the way for Irish operators to get a share of this vast market. Irish beef will be stocked in Chinese supermarkets in the very near future.
“There are further opportunities in the dairy sector and I am confident that the huge potential that a market of 1.3 billion people offers our country can benefit Ireland and help us build on the recovery that has also taken hold,” he continued.
During bi-lateral talks with An Taoiseach in Ashford Castle, Cong, on Sunday,  Premier Li said that China now sees Ireland as ‘a gateway to Europe and the Western economy’.
Enda Kenny commented that the Premier’s visit was also a boon for the Irish tourism industry. “Last year 40,000 Chinese tourists visited Ireland, and this year we hope to grow this figure to 50,000,” he said.
The Garvey’s farm is a 109 hectare holding, with three generations actively involved in the operation. Predominantly a dairy enterprise, with 110 Holstein/Friesian dairy cows, the Garvey farm also includes a suckler beef business consisting of 30 Limousin-cross cows.
The enthusiasm and hospitality of Cathal Garvey, his wife Mary and their family in welcoming the delegation to their farm and home made a deep impression on the Chinese visitors.