Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to increase the amount of exports of Irish produce (details supplied) to the BRIC countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25910/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I would inform the Deputy that there has already been a substantial increase in the value of agricultural exports to BRICs countries over the past two years. Total exports of agricultural products to BRICs in 2009 were valued at €87.8 million. This rose by almost 35% in value terms in 2010 to €118.3 million and the value of these exports for the first six months of 2011 stands at €101.4 million – well above the total for the full year of 2009.

Against that background I am very conscious of the valuable opportunities these markets present for increased trade in Irish agricultural products, notably those identified by the Deputy. It is an essential element of the Food Harvest 2020 strategy to increase Irish production of these products in order to grow agricultural exports and contribute to our national economic recovery. The Chinese market, in particular, represents a huge opportunity. I hosted a visit by the Chinese Vice Minister for Agriculture earlier this year and it is my intention to follow up on this contact by an official visit China later this year. We have established a series of High Level Working Groups to progress mutual co-operation on a number of fronts including a group on "cooperation between China and Ireland in the Agri and Seafood areas".

As to India, Russia and Brazil, I and my Department are working closely with industry, other Government Departments, the agencies such as Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Embassies in these countries to identify opportunities to grow and develop the trade.