Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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294. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update regarding Irish companies exporting beef to jurisdictions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9282/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The export of beef to third country markets is a commercial matter for individual companies. However, my Department plays a critical role in securing access to markets for Irish beef and in certifying exports. Securing beef access has been a Government priority for some time. Opening the Chinese market has been a particular challenge and the question of access for Irish beef has been raised at every opportunity with the Chinese authorities over the last number of years. The matter has been raised at the highest political levels, including when the Taoiseach met his Chinese counterpart Mr. Xi Jingping. In addition, I have led two major trade missions to China since taking office, during which beef access featured in political and technical meetings. The matter has also been raised during a number of inward visits to Ireland by Chinese Ministers.

I made a key breakthrough during my trade mission to China last November, securing agreement from the Chinese authorities to send a veterinary inspection team to Ireland. This inspection team visited in December to review Ireland’s regulatory systems, its laboratory facilities, farms, feedlots and of course beef processing facilities. On foot of this visit, the Chinese authorities have lifted the ban on boneless beef from animals under 30 months of age from Ireland.

This is a major breakthrough.

Further work is required before trade commences. The Department will engage with the Chinese authorities on the agreement on a veterinary health certificate, and a further visit will be required from the Chinese veterinary authorities to approve individual plants for export. My Department is working closely with interested plants in Ireland in preparation for the approval visit, and with the Irish Embassy in Beijing to ensure that these follow up visits happen as quickly as possible.

In relation to Taiwan, Ireland adheres to the One China policy and does not recognise Taiwan as a State. As a result, we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and we have not engaged with the Taiwanese authorities on this issue of beef access.