Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the new export markets that have become available to Irish food exports in the past five years; the number of such markets that have been closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24975/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The 2015 Agri Vision Report recognised the importance of exports to the Irish food industry and the subsequent Action Plan includes a commitment to joint action by stakeholders to identify new markets and promote and improve market share in European and Third Country markets.

While our primary objective is to consolidate market penetration within the EU for high value-added products, it is also important to expand industry access to commercially attractive third country markets. In relation to the meat sector the Russian, Egyptian and Algerian markets for Irish beef have re-opened in recent years. Some other markets remain closed since cases of BSE in Europe were confirmed in 2000. Non-EU markets will continue to be important alternative outlets for Irish beef and the Department will continue its efforts in conjunction with the State Agencies and Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that as many as possible of these third countries are open to our exports. Prospects for reopening the United Arab Emirate market are good and I am also hopeful of positive developments on potential export opportunities in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Kuwait, Israel, Japan, China and South Africa.

Dairy and drinks exports are also significant with dairy products being exported to over 100 countries worldwide. The main products are butter, cheese, skimmed milk powder (SMP), whole milk powder (WMP) and casein and products containing dairy ingredients such as baby food, liqueurs, dairy spreads are also exported. I have worked hard to assist in the development of new and existing markets for Irish dairy products through ensuring that all the market aid mechanisms available are deployed in an effective manner so as to enable the dairy sector consolidate and grow its share of international markets. I acknowledge and welcome the investment by Irish dairy processors in R&D which will continue the drive towards greater levels of innovation and diversity in product mix and will help maintain our competitiveness in the face of challenges ahead.