Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food the extent to which Irish beef, lamb and or pork and bacon exports have increased or decreased over the past five years to date in 2011; the potential for increased exports in the future under each heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17925/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The following table details both the volume and value of beef exports since 2006.

Ireland exports some 90% of its beef production and around 99% of exports go to other EU Member States. The United Kingdom remains our largest market for beef exports. Shipments to the UK in 2010 were valued at €685m and accounted for over half of total beef exports by volume for the year. The data for 2010 shows a resumption of more normal levels of output following the downturn in activity caused by the economic fragility of the previous two years.

The key challenges facing the sector are to maintain and expand Irish beef's position as a premium product in EU markets and to improve viability across the supply chain. New smart approaches, in genetics for example, are necessary to upgrade output quality thus leading to greater output value. The EU is only 96% self-sufficient in beef production and consumer demand for beef is expected to further exceed EU production in the coming years.

Expanding global demand for food clearly presents enormous opportunities for the agri-food sector as a whole. The challenge for the beef industry in the current economic climate is to build on our share of premium markets in a time of global supply constraints and strong demand.

The following table details both the volume and value of sheepmeat exports since 2006.

Exports of sheepmeat have declined over the last five years due to declining domestic production coupled with relatively stable domestic consumption. France is the major export market for Irish sheepmeat, accounting for approximately 54% of exports in 2006 and 49% of exports in 2010.

Exports to Non-EU countries accounted for just 0.45% of the total in 2006 and 1.45% of the total in 2010. Exports to non-EU countries have been limited in the past due to the factors including the fact that the European Union is a net importer of sheepmeat, the prevalence of lower prices in third countries and the absence of export refunds. However, there are signs of greater interest in third countries at present due to higher prices for meat in general. My Department is giving assistance to exporters in gaining access to new third country markets.

Food Harvest 2020 sets a target of a 20% increase in output value by 2020. While sheep numbers have fallen significantly in recent years, there are signs that the decline has bottomed out and numbers have stabilised. The good prices available for sheep over the past 18 months should encourage farmers to increase production in the future and this increased production together with buoyant prices should allow the Food Harvest 2020 target to be met.

The following table details both the volume and value of pigmeat exports since 2006.

Pigmeat remains the most consumed meat worldwide with demand expected to continue to increase in the medium term. This will continue to present opportunities for Irish producers. All markets which were closed as a result of the dioxin incident have been reopened and demand has recovered strongly particularly in international markets.

Food Harvest 2020 sets ambitious targets for the pig sector, including a 50% increase in the value of output by 2020. Increased sow productivity will be the key driver of this growth together with an increase in the size of the sow herd. Work towards the achievement of these targets is ongoing.