Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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206. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the recent discussions, if any, that have been held at official and political level with the Russian authorities in relation to restrictions imposed on the export of offal products from Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48977/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Exports of all Irish offal into Russia have been suspended following an audit inspection by officials from the Russian Federation in May of this year. This also resulted in the suspension of exports of other prime beef cuts from a number of meat plants supplying to Russia at that time. In late June, the Russian Federation also introduced an EU-wide ban on beef trimmings due to alleged adulteration of beef consignments with pork. In addition, and as the Deputy is aware, Russia introduced a ban on the import of agricultural products, including beef, from the EU in August of this yearWhile Russia is not a major destination for Irish beef exports, it does provide a useful alternative third country outlet for Irish beef, particularly beef offal. In 2013, Ireland exported 7,494 tonnes of beef worth a little under €10 million to Russia, the majority of which related to beef offal. At the same time, Ireland produced approximately 520,000 tonnes of beef in total in 2013 and Bord Bia estimates that around 470,000 tonnes of this was exported. The main markets for Irish beef are the United Kingdom and continental Europe, two of the highest priced markets in the world.

Of course, it is important that we retain as many markets for Irish beef as possible, and the Russian market should be no exception to this. My Department has been actively engaged with the relevant authorities in the Russian Federation with a view to the reopening this market. I also met recently with the Russian Ambassador to Ireland where I conveyed my strong desire to see this market open as soon as possible. Following on from this, officials from my Department are in Moscow this morning to discuss market access issues and I am hopeful that this will help bring the matter forward.