Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Durkan for the question. There are two parts to this issue. The first is increasing third country market access and furthering trade opportunities. This is absolutely critical and is an integral part of my Department's response to the challenges of Brexit. My Department has been very active in this regard through trade missions and leveraging our network of agricultural attachés around the globe, which have been recently expanded to include a presence in Berlin, Tokyo, Mexico City and, most recently, Seoul, South Korea. We continue to avail of every resource in furthering market access and trade advancement. The Government's commitment to new market access for the agri-food sector has been proven by my appointment with specific responsibility in this regard as a Ministry of State for new market development.

Ireland's agri-food exports have greatly increased in recent years. Total exports came to a value of €14.5 billion in 2019, an increase of 6% over 2018. Half of this growth has been accounted for by markets outside of Europe. This is a testament to the great work that has been done through Food Harvest 2020, initially, then Food Wise 2025, the ten-year strategic plans for the sustainable growth of our agri-food and drink exports. Work is at an advanced stage in times of a new agri-food strategy for 2030, which will be published in the near future.

On the practical and immediate issue of bypassing the UK to continue to access markets, I recognise the UK land bridge is of huge importance in accessing the EU Single Market and we may see severe delays in its operation after the ending of the transition period. However, goods moving directly between Ireland and elsewhere in the EU will not be subject to any new procedures. Therefore, I urge traders currently using the UK land bridge to consider direct sailing as an alternative. Ferry operators have indicated that capacity is available on direct routes. This is also the view of the Department of Transport and the Irish Maritime Development Office and I encourage early engagement between all parties, traders, hauliers and ferry companies to discuss their needs and options.

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