Ms Paula Barry Walsh:

Currently Ireland can export sheep to 45 countries, pigs to 55 and beef to 70. There is an active wish to increase access for sheep in prime markets such as Japan, the United States of America and China. For some of the markets with which Ireland has engaged, it is not a question of asking them if they prefer Ireland to have an electronic identification system for sheep; it is the case that they look at what we submit to them and they are questioning it. There are two markets, in particular, to which we are seeking access and in one case it has put some quite hard questions to us about how it wants Ireland to ensure traceability in cases of recall. That was at the end of last year and we have not yet been able to answer the questions. In another case, in which we have made a market access application, it has been acknowledged by the country in question that Ireland has traceability issues and it has asked us to resolve them as we progress the application. As has been said, the current system is not working because it does not deliver the assurances third countries ask for, especially on animal health and food safety risks. The Minister's announcement is particularly opportune in helping the sheep industry to capitalise in gaining market access for the future. We hope to continue to gain market access and increase the numbers of countries to where sheepmeat can be exported.