Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1596. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the opening up of the Taiwanese market for pork and beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26618/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is working on expanding market access for beef, sheepmeat, pigmeat, poultry and cooked meats across a range of markets and is also working to simplify certification procedures in a number of markets to which we already have access. The priorities of the industry are assessed through the form of quarterly meetings with relevant stakeholders.

In terms of beef market access, 2016 saw some considerable successes including the extension of our beef market access to the USA to include Beef Intended for Grinding (BIFG) as well as the opening of the Canadian & New Zealand beef markets and the re-opening of the Israeli beef market. Significant steps were also taken in terms of beef market access to China, South Korea and Vietnam in conjunction with the Trade Mission there. 2017 has already seen the re-opening of the Egyptian market to Irish beef and beef exports have now commenced. It has also seen the extension of our beef market access to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to include a range of minced and processed beef products, as part of my Trade Mission there. 

 Although Ireland remains committed to the One China policy, this does not prevent trade links with Taiwan. However, to date, we have not sought market access for either beef or pigmeat to Taiwan.