Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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35. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made by the agrifood sector here in developing a market for Irish beef in China. [41354/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The opening earlier this year of the Chinese beef market is the result of years of cooperation and hard work on the part of my Department, the Irish Embassy in Beijing, Bord Bia, and the Irish beef industry. It is a hugely significant achievement for our industry, as well as an excellent endorsement of our world-class safety standards and product quality.

Three beef plants were approved by the Chinese Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) in April. As part of my Trade Mission to China in May it was confirmed that a further three beef plants had met the required standards for approval. These plants were subsequently formally approved and listed by CNCA in June. This was a great result and reflects the on-going work in this area.

My Department has spent many years working closely with the Chinese authorities in order to secure this agreement. This work has included inward and outward trade missions, inspection visits, and various bilateral contacts with officials in relevant Chinese Ministries. Throughout the course of this work, my officials have developed a deep understanding of Chinese requirements. This understanding has been essential in devising procedures to satisfy the conditions of China’s protocol.

A new Veterinary health certificate that covers both beef and pigmeat came into effect on 1st June 2018 and the beef trade has commenced with product already having arrived into China by both air freight and shipping. My officials continue to make progress on various technical issues and the focus now is on trying to get additional plants approved and listed by the Chinese authorities.

As I have previously stated, the role of the Government is to open up market access and to remove barriers to trade; the industry must then make its own decisions in relation to market priorities, but I hope that Irish beef exports will follow the same success that our dairy and pigmeat sectors have enjoyed in China to date.