Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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86. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he will develop new markets for Irish beef, lamb and pigmeat over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2694/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A strong global demand for meat exists and my role as Minister is to facilitate market access so that Irish exporters can take advantage of market opportunities as they arise. My Department engages on an ongoing basis with many third countries, in collaboration with Bord Bia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Irish Embassies, the meat industry and the European Commission on various market access issues. 2015 was a very successful year for meat exports. According to Bord Bia, overall exports of beef, sheepmeat and pigmeat increased by €130 million to €3.2 billion. This represents an increase of 4%. Although exports to the EU account for the majority of meat exports, Third Country markets are increasingly an important alternative outlet for the industry. Since taking office I have led trade missions to a wide variety of destinations, including China, the United States, Algeria, Japan, West Africa and the Gulf States, in order to promote Irish food and beverages, including meat exports, and to open up new markets abroad. These initiatives have led to several notable successes in securing agreement to export Irish beef to Japan, Singapore, Egypt, Iran, the US, and Oman; to export sheepmeat to Singapore, South Africa, the Philippines, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Canada and Oman; and to export pigmeat to Australia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Serbia.

In relation to beef the opening of the US market to Irish beef in early 2015 has provided an important new outlet for Irish beef exports and it is one that holds enormous potential for future development given that we are the first EU member state to gain access. An estimated 1,800 tonnes valued at € 11.5 million has already been exported. This is a strong start to this trade considering that the first exports only went in March 2015 and that some of the plants were only approved for export as recently as September. There has also been some progress made with the lifting of the BSE ban by China in February 2015. My Department is currently hosting an inspection visit by a delegation from AQSIQ which should bring us one stage closer to the commencement of exports of beef. Again, this is a market that has enormous long-term potential. In relation to the Philippines, Ireland has now become their second-largest supplier of beef.

Regarding sheepmeat, the agreement of a veterinary health certificate with Hong Kong in 2014 has provided a valuable new outlet for Irish sheepmeat. During my Trade Mission to China in November 2014, I was able to hand over the completed version of a sheepmeat questionnaire which represents the first milestone on the road which will lead, I hope, to Ireland gaining access to the Chinese market for sheepmeat in the future.

For pigmeat, I have undertaken to ensure that as many alternative markets as possible are open to Irish pigmeat processors since the closure of the Russian market in 2014. In this regard I was pleased to announce the opening of the markets in Vietnam and the Philippines for Irish pigmeat which will serve as valuable alternative markets to Russia for Irish pigmeat exports.

The search for new market will continue in conjunction with the industry, Bord Bia, the European Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This will also be guided by the implementation of Food Wise 2025 strategy which identified the significant growth which has occurred in the agri sector over the last few years, and the future global growth opportunities which Ireland is well placed to benefit from, including: our reputation for food safety and controls; our natural competitive advantage in sustainable grass-based production; and a world class agri-food industry, backed by strong State support services. These strengths sand opportunities should enhance our search for new Third Country markets.