Governor to head up trade delegation to Ireland, U.K.

BEATRICE – Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts will lead a trade delegation to the United Kingdom and Ireland, next August…..the same week the Nebraska Cornhuskers take on Northwestern in football, August 27th, in Dublin.

Ricketts said the trade mission will be August 20th to the 28th.  "Obviously, it's been a challenge with the pandemic to be able to travel. I was able to make a trip to Germany last November, but by and large most of our trips have been curtailed. In fact, the last time we've been able to go overseas before that trip to Germany last November, was the fall of 2019 before the pandemic really hit."

The trade trip will focus on relationships to help develop and maintain agriculture exports of beef and grain and look at opportunities for cooperation in the insurance industry.

Ricketts said 2021 was a good year for Nebraska in terms of beef exports, based on data from eleven months of the year.  "We exported $1.63 billion worth of beef. That is higher than any previous year. In fact, the highest previous year with a full twelve months was $1.44 billion. That was 2018."

During a Monday news conference, State Senator Curt Friesen of Henderson said he plans to introduce a resolution before the legislature recognizing good relationships with the U.K. and Ireland.

"We're a very reliable supplier and building these relationships as a member of the Corn Board back in the day, that is what is really important...building relationships. And, as countries reach out and start to trust us in the quality of our product and the supplies...I think that's what, in the end, really highlights Nebraska's great agriculture combination of cattle, corn, ethanol, hogs....everything else falls into place with our number one industry."

Ricketts says he hopes that Covid protocols won’t be a hindrance on the trip, as August rolls around. He also said the Cornhusker football game should provide other opportunities to highlight Nebraska and promote the state.

"We'll have a great opportunity to be able to show off the great people of our state....and I think we'll be able to structure some nice events around the football game as well, to raise the profile of Nebraska...not only in Ireland but also the U.K., as we talk about our relationships there."

Several Husker fans are expected to make the trip overseas. Ricketts encouraged any private entities who want to be part of the trade delegation to contact the state.