Minister Martin Heydon in Berlin for GFFA 2026

Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon travelled to Berlin for the 2026 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), hosted by Germany’s Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer. The GFFA is an important event that brings together experts, politicians and interest groups to develop solutions for global food security.

Minister Martin Heydon attended a plenary and breakout sessions, discussions on the sustainable use of water in agriculture and a walking tour of Grüne Woche (EN: Green Week)- one of the world’s leading fairs for food, agriculture, and horticulture.

Minister Heydon led the Irish delegation in 10 bilateral meetings with Bulgaria, Croatia, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Romania and the Food security Committee of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

During their meeting, the Minister had the opportunity to present South Africa’s Minister John Steenhuisen MP with a County Wicklow GAA Jersey, in honour of his grandmother’s Irish heritage.

Minister Martin Heydon was accompanied by Ambassador Maeve Collins and the Embassy’s Agriculture Attaché Dr Sorcha Wheatley as well as experts from Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Many thanks to Germany's Minister Rainer and his staff at the Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat for the opportunity to take part in this well organised, hard-working and thoroughly enjoyable event. Thanks also to our Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine colleagues for their expertise and support in preparing for the GFFA.

Some photos courtesy of Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat