Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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41. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the recent activity of his Department and Bord Bia to develop new markets for Irish agri-food produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60634/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Developing market opportunities at home and abroad is one of the goals of Food Vision 2030, the overarching strategy for the development of the agri-food sector which was developed in collaboration with stakeholders and published in August.

Value-added opportunities will be maintained and created by the retention and the growth of existing market shares, development of new international markets and market segments, and product innovation. My Department and Bord Bia play an ongoing role in identifying and developing markets and engaging with key trading partners to enhance the global market share of Irish agri-food produce. Trade missions, facilitated by my Department, Bord Bia, and the Embassy network, are essential in developing market opportunities in international markets.

Bord Bia has shown great agility since the start of the pandemic in translating the key components of trade missions into a virtual format. Minister of State Martin Heydon, who has specific responsibility for new market development, and I have participated in a range of virtual events and meetings with key trade customers.

Most recently, we have participated in virtual events organised by Bord Bia promoting Irish dairy and meat exports to West Africa, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, China and Japan. Those markets were chosen because of their strategic importance for Irish agri-food exports and I have been hugely impressed by the level of engagement and interest from customers in our quality food and drink offering.

Opening and enhancing access to international markets is typically a lengthy process with negotiations often taking several years before bilateral agreements are concluded and trade can commence. Nonetheless we have made significant progress in diversification of markets. For example, I was pleased last week with the announcement that the US ban on sheep meat exports from the EU has been lifted. My officials will now engage with US authorities on the next steps to full access and to ensure that Irish sheepmeat exports to this valuable market will be able to commence as soon as possible.