Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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163. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he, with Irish meat plants, requested access to the Chinese market for bone-in beef; if not, the reasoning behind this decision; his plans to submit a request in view of the danger posed to Irish beef exports by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9877/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Market development including new market access is a key theme of the Food Wise strategy, and a fundamental response to the challenges posed by Brexit. Progress and prioritisation of my Department's market access work is made in full consultation with industry, including implementation of the Department's market access action plan, launched in April 2017.

My officials continue to liaise with their Chinese counterparts on a range of issues, including approval for additional plants under current beef access; and expanding beef access to include bone-in-beef. Progressing access for sheepmeat to the Chinese market will also be a priority for 2019.