Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the announcement by the Chinese Government of the major deal which has been struck on beef exports into new markets in China. In this regard, I also welcome the co-operation of Bord Bia and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.To give him credit, the Minister has done much work in collaboration with his officials in the Department and other State agencies to break into the important market of China. It raises the question as to what the potential in the Asian market is. I read in a newspaper this morning how there is a major issue regarding the production of pork and swine flu and other related agricultural diseases that have been impacting enormously on China and the rest of Asia in the past few weeks. Pork was not even mentioned in the recent release on this announcement concerning beef exports to China. There is potential, particularly for the development of new markets in Asia. The acceptance of the market for Irish beef indicates the high quality of our beef, which is predominantly grass fed, and the importance of traceability and quality over price. This is one of the major things that have come out of this announcement. They are looking for high-quality beef that is traceable.

It is important to say that farmers must also experience and see the benefits of these additional markets and contracts. One of the problems about which we hear, particularly with regard to the Beef Plan Movement, concerns the fact that there are members of the beef plan organisation who feel they will not get a fair share and will not be able to contribute to these markets. New markets are great news for beef but the price must be reflected down the chain, which is a problem. We know about the politics surrounding beef in the past few months, for example, who is and is not making the money, the conflicts around that and the primary producers. I acknowledge the enormous work done by the Minister in this area. There is significant potential for the development of the market. I reiterate the importance of working closely with the Beef Plan Movement and its members, who do not want to be victimised as a result of their protests or to be locked out of this lucrative market. They want to be incorporated and to have equal access and an equal opportunity to contribute to feeding these new growing markets. Any equitable return must manifest itself across the sector, particularly in respect of the primary producers and farmers, because if this does not happen, what is all this about the announcement? If we are to see a beefing up of or a new impetus given to the beef industry, it is important that everyone has a crack at it and an opportunity to compete to feed into these new markets.