Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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558. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite progress on an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6824/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The implementation of food regulations for imports to China is a matter for the Chinese authorities. Ireland applies stringent European standards and follows procedures which include monitoring the safety of Irish seafood so that consumers can continue to have high confidence in the quality of Irish seafood. The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority is the competent authority under food safety law for this matter. 

The Authority continues to work with Chinese import control officials on this market access issue, supported by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  A visit to Irish Crab production and State Laboratory facilities by Chinese import control officials was hosted in May 2016.  Following this, there has been continuing communications between the Authority and Chinese officials on this issue.  The issue was further discussed between Irish and Chinese experts in the course of Ireland’s trade mission to China in September 2016.  The Authority is continuing strenuous efforts to secure agreement with Chinese officials for resumption of this trade at the earliest possible date.