John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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1144. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made on developing new agri-export markets in south-east Asia, including increased Bord Bia representation in the region, as recommended in a 2015 report of the Committee of Public Accounts. [54610/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I am very pleased that in 2017 Irish agri-food exports recorded their 8th consecutive year of growth to reach an estimated €13.5 billion. One of my key priorities is to further increase the market opportunity for Irish food and drinks internationally, particularly in South East Asia, a region with favourable demographics and rising incomes. This principle of market development is already a key component of Food Wise 2025, but is particularly important now in the context of Brexit.

In February 2017, I met with Ambassadors and diplomats from the ten South East Asia member countries of the ASEAN Economic Community. I highlighted the fact that the value and volume of trade in agri products to ASEAN countries is already significant, and that there is considerable potential for further growth in the future. I reiterated Ireland’s commitment to furthering these important trading relationships. The ambassadors were interested to hear of Ireland’s plans under Food Wise 2025 to grow its agri-food exports to €19 billion by 2025.

In November 2017 I led a week-long Government of Ireland agri food trade mission to Japan and South Korea, accompanied by Department officials, Bord Bia and representatives of industry. Over five days I met with four Senior Ministers in two major economies, was in the boardrooms of five multi-billion euro companies, and attended thirteen separate promotional events attended by over 400 Japanese and Korean buyers.

Currently Ireland has access to export beef & pigmeat to Japan and work is underway in relation to removing the certificate condition which allows only beef from cattle under 30 months of age to be exported to Japan. Market access for sheepmeat is also being sought. In the case of South Korea, Ireland has already access for pigmeat and continues the process of pursuing market access for beef, where we are one of the most advanced Member States.

While questions relating to Bord Bia staffing and representation abroad are a matter for Bord Bia, I am pleased that in 2016 Bord Bia recruited a market manager for South East Asia. While co-located with the Irish Embassy in Singapore, he has a broad remit for a number of South East Asian countries and had a key role in relation to the aforementioned Trade Mission. My Department continues to work closely with Bord Bia in relation to developing new export markets.