Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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571. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects to ensure the future security of the food industry here throughout Europe notwithstanding TTIP or other global agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14888/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The food industry is very important to the Irish economy. Last year alone, the value of Irish food and drink exports reached €10.8 billion. I am cognisant therefore of the need to continue to support the development of the industry, based on an international reputation for producing high-quality food to excellent safety standards. Food Wise 2025 provides the framework for the development of the industry over the next decade, and I intend to work with all of the stakeholders and through the High Level Implementation Committee to ensure that the objectives we have set ourselves are achieved. In relation to trade agreements, I think the imperative must at all times be to push hard to make progress in areas where Ireland has offensive interests, and to strongly defend those areas where threats may arise. Taking TTIP as an example, Ireland has both offensive and defensive interests. We see worthwhile opportunities in the US for cheese, powdered milks and sports products, and further opportunities for branded packaged butter, if we can remove some regulatory barriers. Prepared consumer foods and fish could also benefit from trade liberalisation.

Beef is a unique sector in that we have both offensive and defensive interests. In the long term, any significant increase in beef imports to the EU could have adverse effects on the Irish industry. That was confirmed by a number of recent studies and is an issue we have raised strongly with the European Commission. We therefore have legitimate concerns about the size, composition and administration of any beef quota offered to the US.

We should also seek a significant EU quota for beef to the US as part of any TTIP agreement. Following the re-opening of the market, Irish beef exports now fall under a 65,000-tonne quota for ‘other countries’ on a first come, first served basis. This is mainly filled by Latin American countries. When we get access for manufacturing beef we would stand to benefit greatly from a specific EU import quota in the US, and this can only be achieved through TTIP.

I have also been very active in recent months in highlighting the potentially very damaging impact of a MERCOSUR deal on the European agriculture sector, and on the beef sector in particular. Ireland played a leading role in raising concerns with the Commission about the potentially very severe impact that a MERCOSUR deal would have on the Irish and EU agriculture sector, and in particular on the beef sector. The Commission responded by excluding a beef TRQ from the offer made on 11 May. While this is a welcome development, there is a need for continued vigilance in relation to the conduct of these trade negotiations. I will continue to insist that further detailed analysis is undertaken in order to fully assess the cumulative impact of beef quota concessions granted under other free trade agreements. I will also ensure the timing and content of any beef TRQ offer is handled appropriately, and in a manner that safeguards the interests of the Irish and European beef sector in particular.