Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the markets that she has identified for expansion in respect of Irish food exports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9359/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Agri Vision 2015 Action Plan, has identified emerging market opportunities in Continental EU and Asian markets in particular for our food and drink exports. There is also potential in existing markets that are already well established such as the United Kingdom. Markets are becoming increasingly competitive and fast moving. The Agri Vision 2015 Plan of Action which I launched last year, sets out measures to promote competitiveness, innovation and responsiveness to consumer demand, to exploit these markets.

Considerable progress has been achieved with Irish beef in recent years (particularly in Italy and Holland) and Bord Bia is planning to use its Marketplace event later this year to showcase exporters to buyers from the Continent. While the primary objective is to consolidate market penetration within the EU for high quality and value-added products, it is also important to expand industry access to commercially attractive third country markets. In relation to beef, and in line with that policy, there has been a very considerable shift in our trade towards the EU market which now takes 92% of our overall exports, compared with 51% 5 years ago.

Changing market access, combined with rapid economic development is creating significant opportunities in many countries in the Asian region for some of our leading exporters. Bord Bia is planning to establish a full-time presence in Shanghai from which it can assist these exporters on the ground. It has identified particular opportunities in pigmeat, ingredients and alcoholic beverages in the short-term and is working together with my Department on market access for beef.

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.