NORTHERN IRELAND MEAT EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION

NORTHERN IRELAND MEAT EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION

The Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association (NIMEA) is a private, processor-led organization established in 1999 to represent the interests of Northern Ireland’s red meat processing and exporting sector. As a membership organization without share capital, NIMEA acts as a collective voice for meat exporters in Northern Ireland, advocating for favorable trade conditions, regulatory clarity, and market access within the European Union and globally. The association is headquartered in Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

NIMEA’s core mission centers on supporting its members through lobbying efforts aimed at influencing EU policies that affect the meat export industry. This includes navigating complex regulatory frameworks such as the EU’s customs and sanitary standards, which are critical for maintaining and expanding export markets. The association plays a key role in ensuring Northern Ireland’s meat exporters comply with EU legislation, especially given Northern Ireland’s unique position under the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, which subjects it to certain EU customs and regulatory rules despite being part of the UK customs territory.

Since registering with the EU Transparency Register in April 2018 (registration number 852614631265-37), NIMEA has maintained a transparent profile of its lobbying activities, focusing on trade facilitation, regulatory alignment, and market access issues. The association works closely with EU institutions to advocate for policies that protect and promote the interests of Northern Ireland’s meat exporters, particularly in the context of Brexit and evolving trade agreements.

NIMEA’s advocacy extends to networking with other industry bodies, government agencies, and trade organizations to ensure a coordinated approach to lobbying efforts. The association emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong trade links with both EU and non-EU countries, reflecting Northern Ireland’s significant meat export volumes. Through its lobbying, NIMEA seeks to mitigate trade barriers, reduce administrative burdens, and secure competitive advantages for its members in international markets.

Financially, NIMEA reports its lobbying expenditures annually to the EU Transparency Register, reflecting the resources dedicated to influencing EU policy. The association’s lobbying activities are governed by the EU’s Code of Conduct for interest representatives, ensuring ethical and transparent engagement with EU decision-makers.

Overall, NIMEA stands as a pivotal organization representing Northern Ireland’s meat exporters, balancing local industry needs with the broader regulatory and trade environment of the EU, thereby contributing to the sector’s sustainability and growth.

  • : Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association Ltd (NIMEA)

  • : NI036730

  • : 17 August 1999

  • : C/O Sd Brown & Company, Carnegie Building, 25-27 Edward Street, Portadown, Co. Armagh, BT62 3NE

  • : Private company limited by guarantee without share capital

  • : 94990 – Activities of other membership organisations not elsewhere classified

  • EU Transparency Register Number: 852614631265-37 (registered since 19 April 2018)

  • : Represent interests of Northern Ireland red meat processors and exporters in EU policy and trade matters

No related lobbyists found.

  • Trade and Industry

  • Agriculture and Food Processing

  • Export and Market Access

  • Regulatory Compliance and Standards

  • EU Policy and Customs Legislation

  • NIMEA networks with a range of affiliated organizations, including:

    • Other meat and agricultural industry associations in the UK and EU

    • Northern Ireland business networks

    • EU institutional stakeholders (European Commission, European Parliament committees related to agriculture and trade)

    • Trade policy and regulatory bodies involved in the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol

    • Possibly with UK government departments overseeing trade and agriculture

  • Exact financial data on lobbying expenditures by year is not publicly detailed in the sources. However, as per EU Transparency Register requirements, NIMEA reports its lobbying costs annually.

  • Total lobbying costs since registration in 2018 are estimated to be within the range typical for sectoral trade associations, but precise figures would require access to their EU Transparency Register declarations or financial statements.

  • NIMEA interacts primarily with:

    • European Commission (Directorates-General for Agriculture, Trade, and Health and Food Safety)

    • European Parliament agricultural and trade committees

    • Council of the European Union working groups on agriculture and trade

    • EU regulatory agencies related to food safety and customs

Specific records of meetings held by NIMEA with EU institutions since registration are not publicly available in the search results. The EU Transparency Register generally records such meetings, but detailed logs would need to be retrieved from the register’s database or directly from NIMEA disclosures.