Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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587. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the various export markets for Irish food and food products have been examined with a view to ensuring their continuity, stability and the need to ensure the availability of sufficient food and food products in the face of worldwide shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35531/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The current geo-political environment and challenges presented by Brexit, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine have created uncertainty on the international markets that Irish agri-food exports depend. My Department closely monitors these developments on an ongoing basis and is supporting the sector in addressing these challenges. For example, the Government has introduced a number of financial supports to support the agri-food sector in the face of Brexit and COVID impacts over recent years.

At a strategic level, Food Vision 2030 sets out a clear ambition to grow the value of Irish exports over the next ten years. This ambition will be realised by implementing actions that are focused on market diversification as well as investment in innovation at producer and processor level, which will drive the competitiveness of Ireland's agri-food offering on international markets. All of this will be underpinned by a food systems approach that has sustainability in all its dimensions - economic, social and environmental - at its core.

I believe that the well-established - and ongoing - commitment of the Government, in partnership with the agri-food sector, to this approach has ensured that Irish agri-food exports have continued to grow, despite recent geo-political shocks. There is a global demand for sustainably produced, high quality food, and I believe that Ireland's agri-food sector is well placed to meet this demand and make a significant contribution to addressing global food security issues into the future.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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588. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the future for Irish lamb remains attractive in both the export and domestic markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35532/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am very conscious of the important role that prime lamb production plays in the continued growth and development of our agri-food sector.

For that reason, my Department provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through the Sheep Improvement Scheme and through the broad range of CSP schemes for which sheep farmers are eligible.

The Sheep Improvement Scheme supports farmers carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare, including through the targeted application of genomic technologies. Other CSP schemes such as the ACRES and Organic Farming schemes are particularly suited to sheep enterprises or mixed beef and sheep enterprises, and will provide higher direct payments to sheep farmers.

Additionally, I have supported livestock farmers in dealing with increased costs over the last year by introducing a fodder incentive scheme, a national liming programme and a package to encourage the sowing of multi-species swards and red clover.

Bolstered by these supports, Irish sheep farmers produce a safe, sustainable, high-quality product that is in demand across many global markets. Ireland exported sheep meat to over 30 markets last year, which is a mark of the world-class product produced on our farms.

Sheep production is a vital source of income for many farmers and provides the raw material for the export of over 66,000 tonnes of sheepmeat worth €453m last year. Imports during the same period amounted to 9,000 tonnes and were worth €59m.

Approximately 15% of the lamb produced in Ireland is consumed domestically, with the balance being exported. Bord Bia is intensifying its marketing and promotion of Irish lamb this year through its activities in domestic and export markets. For example, an additional lamb campaign in the domestic market focused in particular on attracting younger consumers to eating lamb. Further, television advertising campaigns from September to October will coincide with peak supply months. However, we must continue to look at the global picture, with sheep export markets remaining critical.

Over the past decade, the Department has agreed bilateral sheep meat export certificates for many international markets, most recently with Japan in 2019 and the US in 2022.

In that context, I will continue to support sheepmeat exports through work towards expanding market access and my Department's funding of Bord Bia’s marketing activities nationally and internationally.