Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of new markets identified for agricultural produce in the beef, lamb, pig meat and dairy sectors; the number of markets that have ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36601/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Irish beef exports in recent years have been targeted at the high-value UK and Continental EU markets, with these destinations accounting for 99% of exports in 2007 and 98% in 2008. Efforts to secure alternative market outlets have continued in recent years and have seen agreements on market access reached with Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, South Africa and Indonesia but exports have remained concentrated on the EU markets.

There has been a relatively stable pattern to the destination markets for Irish sheepmeat in recent years. In both 2007 and 2008, in excess of 99% of Irish sheepmeat exports was accounted for by nine countries, namely: France, United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. Cultural differences regarding the consumption of sheepmeat mean that opportunities to increase sales to other European countries are limited while sales outside the EU are negligible. Bord Bia continues its effort to maintain and build market share in existing markets and to be in a position to develop any new opportunities that may arise in the future.

With regard to pigmeat, in addition to the other EU Member States, Ireland also exports to approximately 21 international markets including Japan, China and the U.S. Initial communications have begun with New Zealand, Australia and Vietnam with a view to gaining market access to these countries. Russia and China are currently closed to Irish pigmeat due to last December's dioxin problem. We are continuing our efforts to regain access to these countries through the provision of information and on-going contacts.

Irish dairy products are exported to other EU Member States and to over 100 countries worldwide. The amount of exports to any particular destination varies in accordance with changes in the supply/demand dynamics in particular regions of the world and in respect of the various dairy products involved. In overall terms, Ireland's dairy exports amounted to €2.2 billion in 2008. The UK represented the largest single share of export sales with 32%. The rest of the EU accounted for 48%, while North America and Africa accounted for 6% and 7% respectively. As international demand changes there will be an increasing emphasis on consumer food markets, particularly in the EU, US and high growth emerging economies, together with strategically expanding marketing and distribution capability worldwide. My Department will continue to work with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and the industry to identify and develop other potential markets.