Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress on obtaining access for Irish meat product, such as, beef, lamb and pig meat to China; the remaining stages in the approval process outstanding; the approximate timetable for all stages to be completed and full access granted; and the number of approved plants for exporting beef to China. [23168/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My officials continue to work towards opening and enhancing access to as many markets as possible. This is a key part of our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit, and in line with the market development theme of the Food Wise 2025 strategy.

The opening of the Chinese market for Irish beef in 2018 was the culmination of significant work, over a number of years, and I am delighted that seven Irish beef plants are currently approved to export beef to China. Exports of Irish beef to China commenced in the second half of 2018 and are expected to grow considerably during 2019.

My Department's market access priorities for this year include advancing further beef plant approvals by the Chinese authorities, and also beginning the process for market access for sheepmeat.

During my recent trade mission to China, I submitted further detailed documentation on an additional tranche of beef plants to Vice Minister Zhang of the General Administration of Customs (GACC), in a new template agreed following previous technical discussions. At our productive meeting in Beijing, Vice Minister Zhang committed to an inspection visit in August 2019 for the further tranche of beef plants, and in respect of sheepmeat, both a systems audit and plant inspections. While this represents good progress, the exact timelines for gaining and improving market access for any product remain a matter for the Chinese authorities.

As you may know, Ireland has access to the Chinese market for pigmeat . In 2018 Ireland exported €76.6 million (58,142 tonnes) of pigmeat to China, our second most important export market after the UK.

Further details of Irelands access to third country markets can be found on my Department's dedicated market access portal.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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114. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress on obtaining access for Irish meat product such as, beef, lamb and pigmeat to South Korea; the remaining stages in the approval process outstanding; and the approximate timetable for all stages to be completed and full access granted. [23169/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Total Irish agri-food exports to South Korea in 2018 amounted to around €36.1 million according to the CSO. The majority of this, some €27 million, was accounted for by fish & pigmeat exports.

The process of gaining access for Irish beef has been ongoing for a number of years and Ireland is currently at step five in an eight step process for beef market access. The next step should be transmission of the file to the Nation Assembly. This matter will be raised as a priority issue during my forthcoming trade mission, which will take place in the week commencing 10th June. As with other markets, the timing of access to the Korean beef market remains ultimately the decision of the Korean authorities.

In relation to pigmeat, trade is ongoing and there are no particular issues around pigmeat access. According to the CSO, exports of €13.77 million (6,193 tonnes) took place in 2018. This compares with Exports of €8.3 million (3,174 tonnes) in 2017, and represents an increase of around 95% in terms of tonnage.

In February 2018, my officials wrote to the South Korean authorities requesting access for sheepmeat. This matter will also be raised during my forthcoming trade mission.

Further details of Irelands access to third country markets can be found on my Department's dedicated market access portal.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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115. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress on obtaining access for Irish meat product, such as, beef, lamb and pig meat to Japan; the remaining stages in the approval process outstanding; and the approximate timetable for all stages to be completed and full access granted. [23170/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Irish meat, dairy and food products have a highly rated and hard earned reputation in terms of quality, safety, animal welfare and sustainability all over the world. My officials continue to work towards opening and enhancing access to as many markets as possible.

The Japanese market has been open to exports of beef from Ireland since December 2013. Trade has built up slowly and consists mainly of frozen beef offal, tongues in particular. Figures from CSO indicate exports of around €3.6 million or 842 tonnes in 2018. The Japanese audit in relation to the lifting of the 30 month ban on the export of Irish beef took place in March 2019. The audit team indicated that all plants visited were being operated to a high standard. The 30 month ban was subsequently lifted with effect from May 17^th2019. This a significant achievement for Ireland and it is expected to give rise to an increase in beef exports to Japan.

My Department has written to the Japanese authorities formally seeking market access for sheepmeat. Detailed documentation has been submitted and reviewed by the Japanese authorities. Earlier this month my officials submitted further documentation, including a revised Draft Animal Health Regulations (AHR), Export Verification programme (EVP) and Proposed Draft Veterinary Health Certificate. Progressing sheepmeat access will be a focus during my forthcoming trade mission to Japan in week commencing 10 June, but, of course, timelines for market access for any product remain a matter for the Japanese authorities.

Ireland has access to the Japanese market for pigmeat with exports of 14,805 tonnes valued at €41.364m in 2018. There are no particular market access issues at present. Exports can only take place from establishments approved by my Department and recommended to the Japanese authorities as meeting the requirements for export of pigmeat to that country.

Further details of Ireland's access to third country markets can be found on my Department's dedicated market access portal: