Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I was delighted to recently announce the opening of the Chinese beef market to exports from Ireland. This key market presents an excellent opportunity for the Irish beef sector, from farmers through to processors, in line with the market development theme of our Food Wise strategy. Opening and developing new markets is also a key part of our response to the uncertainties arising from Brexit.

Our agri-food exports to China have increased roughly five-fold from around €200 million in 2010 to nearly €1 billion last year. This has been a remarkable achievement and underlines the importance of the Chinese market for the sector. As regards beef, the door has now been opened and there is a real opportunity for the industry to build on this.

China has developed into a strategically important partner for Ireland on agri-food issues. It is our third largest trading partner in this sector. I value the mutually beneficial business and trading relationships between our countries and see great opportunities for building on this as China has a growing demand for food and beverages that are safe, nutritious and produced to the highest quality standards which Ireland can supply.

To further boost our agri-food exports I will lead an extensive trade mission to China and Hong Kong next month, with Irish participation in SIAL, a major food fair in Shanghai, a key focus. This will provide and opportunity not only to further build on our trade relationships, but also to continue our dialogue with the Chinese Government.

It is also important to note that beef will not be the only focus, as I also see further opportunities for Irish Agri-food exports to China, particularly in the dairy and pigmeat sectors. Dairy exports reached €667 million and pigmeat exports were over €100 million in 2017. These were the two largest categories of food exported to China, and for both of these commodities China was the second largest destination market. China is also a growing market for seafood and other food and drink exports. This trade mission will include industry representatives , with the intention of enhancing and improving our existing levels of trade .

Since taking office as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I have had the pleasure of visiting China in September 2016 and of welcoming several high-level Chinese delegations to Ireland. My Department continues to develop its relationship with its Chinese counterparts, including through the implementation of internship programmes for relevant Chinese officials. The development of the Chinese market is a key focus for Bord Bia, which has been provided with an additional €14m since Q3 2016, to support its marketing and promotional efforts.

I am proud to play a part in promoting trade between our two countries. I will continue to foster close relationships with my Ministerial counterparts in China and between officials from the respective administrations in order to further areas of mutual cooperation and to advance and facilitate market access opportunities in China.