Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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1002. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council to lift its ban on the importation of Irish beef and lamb; the opportunities that arise for Ireland as a result of this decision; if he intends to visit the Gulf region in the near future to agree veterinary health certificates with all the specified GCC nations to ensure exports commence as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35462/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that last week I welcomed the milestone decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Food Safety Committee to formally lift longstanding bans on exports of Irish beef and sheepmeat from Ireland to the GCC region. These bans had been in place for well over a decade because of legacy concerns related to scrapie and BSE. This is a clear signal from the Gulf States of their confidence in Ireland’s rigorous controls and excellent standards of food safety. While Saudi Arabia had previously lifted a ban on the importation of Irish beef and the UAE had lifted the ban on Irish beef, sheepmeat and poultry, the formal lifting of the GCC-wide ban means that Ireland is free to complete the formalities necessary to export Irish beef and lamb within the GCC as a whole.

This region has a combined population of almost 43.5 million with high levels of disposable income, a significant food deficit and a taste for beef and lamb, and presents an important opportunity for the Irish beef and lamb sectors, in particular at the premium food service and retail end of the market. This is exactly the kind of market opportunity that can add value to the Irish meat sector and help to build the reputation of the Irish food sector for high standards of quality and safety. My Department has already commenced the process needed to agree beef and sheepmeat certs with Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain and a sheepmeat cert with Saudi Arabia.

I also announced last week that I will be leading a trade mission to the Gulf region from 27 October to 1 November this year, to draw attention to Ireland and what it can offer to the very discerning customers in this region and to explore future opportunities. I look forward to this mission and to highlighting the unique qualities of Irish food production and products. During this visit I will of course thank the GCC for their decision and raise the subject of meat access to this region, amongst other issues.