Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1130. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the states to which Irish beef product is exported that stipulate a requirement for the 30-month rule; the dates from which this stipulation has been made in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1088/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Beef exports to non-EU third country markets take place on the basis of bilaterally or EU-agreed veterinary health certificates (VHCs) or, alternatively, on general meat certificates.

Eight VHCs provide for full or partial 30-month age restrictions for Irish beef as required by the importing country at the time that the certificate was agreed. The third country markets concerned and the scope of the rule are listed below:

- China;

- Iran;

- Saudi Arabia;

- Turkey;

- Qatar;

- Switzerland;

- Egypt (applicable to bone-in beef); and  

- Singapore (applicable to bone-in beef).

My Department works continuously on expanding market access for Irish meat and meat products across a range of markets. Where there are stringent technical requirements attached to the export of meat to a third country, my Department seeks to continue negotiations with such countries to remove or reduce the impact of the requirement.

For example, in May 2019, the 30 month restriction for Irish beef to Japan was lifted. This was the culmination of a significant programme of work over an 18 month time period.

A Market Access portal on my Department’s website gives further details on the markets open and their technical requirements. In addition, the Market Access Report 2019-2020 published on my Department’s website lists new markets opened and access expanded within that period.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1131. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the states to which Irish beef products are exported that stipulate a requirement for the four movement rule; the dates from which this stipulation has been made in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1089/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Beef exports to non-EU third country markets take place on the basis of bilaterally or EU-agreed veterinary health certificates (VHCs) or, alternatively, on general meat certificates. Beef exports to the rest of the EU do not require certification.

In relation to VHCs currently in place, no third country has specified the maximum number of movements of an animal in its lifetime prior to slaughter as a requirement. However, retail or food service customers for Irish beef exports may specify such requirements. Such specifications are entirely a commercial matter and are not conditions imposed by my Department.

A Market Access portal on my Department’s website gives further details on the markets open and their technical requirements. In addition, the Market Access Report 2019 - 2020 published on my Department's website lists new markets opened and access expanded within that period.