Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1551. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the overseas market for Irish lamb in the future notwithstanding Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33815/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The future prospects of Irish lamb exports in overseas market are statisfactory. Of the four major meat species exported from Ireland, the sheepmeat trade is the least reliant on the UK market. In 2019, according to CSO data, 71% of sheepmeat products in value terms were exported to the EU, 20% to the UK and 9% was exported to third country markets. In volume terms, France was the main destination for sheepmeat products.

As with other meat commodities, my officials continue to work towards opening new outlets for sheepmeat and enhancing existing access to as many markets as possible. This development and diversification strategy remains central to our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit. It is also consistent with the overarching Food Wise sectoral strategy and the seven-point action plan on market access that has been operational since April 2017. In July 2019, for example, sheepmeat access to the Japanese market was finalised. Once a market has been opened for high-quality Irish lamb, it is up to industry, with the support of my Department and Bord Bia, to exploit the opportunities created as trading conditions permit.

The long-term fundamentals of global meat markets are strong, with growing global demand projected from emerging economies with increasing middle classes and demand for protein. The Irish food industry is well positioned to gain from the opportunities presented by expanding global demand, underpinned by the success of the overseas market development efforts of my Department, Bord Bia, the Irish embassy network, and those of the Irish food industry. My Department has engaged and will continue to engage with stakeholders on these and other important issues.