Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am firmly committed to increasing market access and opportunities for all Irish agrifood exports, including Irish meat, around the world. Total agrifood exports amounted to €13.6 billion in 2017, according to the Central Statistics Office trade statistics, an increase of 74% since 2009.

In 2017, meat exports totalled almost €3.8 billion, including beef exports of €2.4 billion in 2017, a 6% increase on 2016; and pigmeat exports of €790 million in 2017, an 8% increase on 2016. Poultry exports were €275 million and sheepmeat exports reached €310 million last year.

My officials continue to work towards opening and enhancing access to as many markets as possible. This is a key part of our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit and in line with the market development theme of the Food Wise 2025 strategy. A wide range of staff members across my Department are involved in market access work, which is co-ordinated by an internal high-level market access committee chaired by assistant secretary. In April 2017, I announced a seven-point plan towards increasing market access and I am satisfied that good progress is being made on this plan. At my Department's request, Bord Bia has undertaken a major data-based market profiling exercise for potential third-country markets for Irish exports. The initial results were launched at the Food Wise conference last December and this will help inform the Department's market access work. A website portal with information on market access and certification conditions across meat and other products is currently being finalised and expected to be launched in the coming weeks. An intensified programme of trade missions to promote Irish food and drink on European Union and third-country markets is under way. Since last year, trade missions have taken place: to USA and Mexico in June 2017, Japan and South Korea in November 2017, USA and Canada in February 2018 and Turkey in March 2018. During my St. Patrick's Day visit to London, I undertook a series of important meetings with the UK retail sector. The next mission, to China and Hong Kong, will take place in mid-2018. Meat market access has been a major feature of these trade missions, including an application for pigmeat access in Mexico. In addition, an application for sheepmeat access to Japan which is under way, as well as slow but steady progress regarding beef access in South Korea.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

The recent opening of the Chinese market for Irish beef and the Saudi Arabian market for Irish sheepmeat are just some examples of the success that have been achieved. In both cases some technical work remains to be completed before trade can commence. Working to open major markets for Irish beef and other meats is a process that can often take a number of years, as opposed to weeks or months, with the timeframe being determined by the importing country. It involves a wide range of detailed work taking place across a range of levels including political, diplomatic, technical and official levels.

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