Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the location and extent of new markets secured for Irish meat and dairy products in each of the past three years to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45592/10]

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. Irish exports of beef and sheepmeat have been largely targeted at higher value EU markets in recent years. In 2009, exports of beef to EU countries accounted for 99% of total beef exports, while exports of sheepmeat to EU countries in 2009 accounted for 98% of total sheepmeat exports. As regards access to international markets, my Department, with the cooperation of Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs, have been active in achieving agreement with third countries on the veterinary health conditions to be met by exports of beef and sheepmeat from Ireland. In the period from 2008 to 2010, agreements have been reached on the veterinary health conditions governing the export of beef to Saudi Arabia (2008), French Polynesia (2009), South Africa (2009), Israel (2009), Indonesia (2010), Morocco (2010), Tunisia (2010) and United Arab Emirates (2010). Also agreement has been reached with the Tunisian authorities regarding the export of sheepmeat (2010).

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. During the last three years certificates have been agreed for the export of pork to Canada, Croatia and New Zealand.

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.