Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the new export markets achieved or identified for Irish meat and dairy products over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40865/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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It is my policy and that of the Government to ensure that Irish producers have access to as many global markets as possible. 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 billion in 2009. The UK represents the largest single share of export sales at approximately 32% with the rest of the EU accounting for 48%. North America and Africa account for 6% and 7% respectively. As international demand changes the Irish dairy industry is placing an increasing emphasis on consumer food markets, particularly in the EU, US, Russia and the Middle East and in high growth emerging economies.

Irish beef production makes an extremely valuable contribution to the overall Irish economy. Progressive initiatives to position Irish beef in higher value EU markets have proved very successful over the past decade. As a result, 99% of Irish beef exports now goes to EU markets with annual exports valued at 1.4 billion in 2009. In the past 12 months agreements have been reached with the veterinary authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia and Morocco on the veterinary health conditions which must be met in connection with the export of beef to those countries.

It is estimated that the Irish sheep sector is currently worth around €250 million, with over two thirds of output exported to the EU. However there has been fresh interest in exporting to third country market and in recent months, a certificate has been agreed for sheepmeat with Tunisia.

The pig sector remains an important component of the Irish agricultural sector. Almost half of Irish production is exported, with the UK accounting for 50% of exports with the remainder split between Continental Europe and third countries. Pork remains the most-consumed meat worldwide and consumption is expected to increase steadily over the next decade. We currently export to over 20 non-EU markets. China and Russia were fully re-opened to Irish pork earlier this year, a move which marked the end of the interruption to trade that arose in late 2008 as a result of the dioxin crisis.

My Department, together with Bord Bia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the industry will continue to work together to identify new potential markets for Irish dairy and meat products.