Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department can identify prospects for increased production in the beef, lamb, pig meat and dairy sectors with particular reference to the need to maximise increased employment opportunities here and meet emerging market requirements within the EU and outside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28630/12]

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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This is a very good subject. When I read the Irish Farmers' Journal today, I was not quite shocked to read that this country imports €3 billion worth of food every year. Someone said to me that if we all ate Irish chickens, we could employ an additional 1,300 people. It is not good enough that we import such an amount of food.

I believe the Irish agri-food sector is well positioned to take advantage of greater demand arising from increasing global population. Exports in the agri-food sector have performed strongly in recent years and offer the potential to increase significantly in the coming years. The Food Harvest 2020 report sets out the strategic vision for the agri-food and fishing sector and includes specific growth targets for the dairy, beef, pork and lamb sectors.

From a dairying perspective, the ending of milk quotas in 2015 represents an exceptional opportunity to increase milk output, and Food Harvest 2020 has targeted a 50% increase in milk production in the period to 2020. This target is ambitious but I believe it is realistic because the dairy sector has the capability to expand at producer and processor level.

The beef industry's ability to maintain and expand employment levels will depend on the extent to which its product offerings are competitive in EU and world markets. In this regard, my Department and its agencies provide an array of financial and infrastructural supports to underpin production and employment in the beef sector.

The pigmeat sector is the third largest individual component of the Irish agri-food industry and supports approximately 7,000 jobs, many of which are in rural communities. Production, prices and exports increased significantly in 2011, and robust domestic demand, coupled with a strong performance in export markets, should help ensure progress in the coming years.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I must interrupt the Minister of State.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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To conclude, the Irish Farmers' Journal has shown that every product in Ireland except the pig has had a price increase this week. We need to have a serious look at getting another pig factory in the country so we will have improved competitiveness.

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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I congratulate the Minister of State and his Department on all the good work they are doing, particularly in regard to emerging markets and in particular China. Some local butchers in Dublin have raised with me the point that when the beef ban in China is lifted, the price of beef for butchers here will rise dramatically. I know the Minister of State cannot interfere in the market but I wanted to raise the issue with him in the House as one to consider.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The farmer will not mind if beef prices increase, as I know, coming from a farming background. There has been an increase of some 250,000 extra cattle registered this year. With prices remaining buoyant, there will be many more animals by 2015. Being a farmer, I had better not say anything, but I am delighted the prices have gone mad.