Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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89. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is actively seeking to develop new markets outside of the EU for Ireland's dairy exports on behalf of dairy farmers who are facing the prospect of a very challenging year ahead; if he will list the actions he has taken in this regard; the new markets he is targeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48636/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Whilst traditional markets such as the UK and the EU will naturally remain critically important for Irish dairy sector exports, it is abundantly clear that significant market opportunities also exist for the sector in new markets outside the EU in the medium to long term horizon. An examination of the export statistics in the sector gives a real sense of the emerging opportunities in new and exciting markets for Irish dairy produce. As Minister for Agriculture, I have recently witnessed first-hand the potential of the Chinese market in particular. Ireland’s dairy offering resonates with Chinese and other third-market consumers who place safety, traceability and sustainability at the core of their value proposition. Companies based in Ireland exported almost €300m worth of dairy produce to China in 2013 and the expectation for 2014 is that the figure will run approximately 25% ahead of last year.

In 2013 Irish dairy exports to Nigeria were broadly comparable to exports to the United States. Exports to Senegal outperformed exports to a number of Ireland’s more traditional near- Europe trading partners. These are examples used to highlight some of the new and exciting frontiers for the Irish Dairy sector.

In 2013 we exported dairy produce across a range of commodities and other value added offerings to over 130 nations worldwide, and it is clear that Ireland’s high standards of food safety and environmental sustainability are fundamental to that success.

As Minister, I obviously continue to have a role in providing a policy and operational framework to support the sector, which includes exploration and development of new markets. I have not relented in this respect during my tenure, including trade missions which achieved tangible benefits to the sector in markets such as China, as aforementioned, as well as the Middle East and Algeria, amongst others.