Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Food Marketing Programme

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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194. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which new markets for beef, lamb, pigmeat or poultry or products thereof continue to be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7746/16]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There is a strong demand for meat globally and my role as Minister is to facilitate market access and to enable Irish exporters to take advantage of the opportunities that arise. My Department engages on an ongoing basis with many Third countries, in collaboration with Bord Bia, the meat industry, Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade 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, pigmeat and poultry increased by €140 million to €3.5 billion. Although exports to the EU account for the majority of meat exports, Third Country markets are increasingly an important alternative outlet for the industry.

I am constantly seeking to develop long-term trading relationships in new and expanding international markets for Irish meat products, raising the profile of Ireland and increasing international confidence in Irish meat production and control systems. 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 and efforts have led to several notable successes in securing agreement to export Irish beef to the USA, Japan, the Philippines, Canada, Singapore, Egypt, Iran and Oman; to export sheepmeat to Canada, Singapore, South Africa, the Philippines, Hong Kong, the UAE, Canada and Oman; to export pigmeat to Australia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Serbia; and to export poultry meat to Singapore and the UAE.

The opening of the US market to Irish beef in early 2015 has provided an important outlet 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 € 14 million was exported in 2015. In Quarter 1 of 2016 approximately 700 tonnes with a value of €6 million are estimated to have been exported, continuing the positive trends from last year. My Department remains engaged with the US authorities to allow for the extension of beef exports to include manufacturing beef/Beef Intended for Grinding (BIFG).

Significant progress has been made along the path to securing access to the Chinese market for Irish beef with the lifting of the BSE ban by China in February 2015, and an inspection visit by a delegation from AQSIQ to Ireland was hosted in January 2016. Steps have been taken towards the opening of the Israeli market for beef exports once again following an audit visit to approve selected plants in February 2016. A delegation from South Korea is expected to conduct a systems audit visit regarding beef access in May.

Other market access opportunities being actively pursued at present include beef access for Vietnam, pigmeat access for Mexico and beef and pigmeat access for the Ukraine. The search for new markets will continue in conjunction with various stakeholders. This will also be guided by the implementation of Food Wise 2025 strategy which identified 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 and opportunities should enhance our search for new Third Country markets.

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