Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The development of a FoodVision 2030, a 10-year strategy for the agri-food sector is a key commitment of the Programme for Government, which called for an ambitious blueprint for the sector for the years ahead. It has the aim of supporting family farms and employment in rural Ireland and adding value sustainably into the future, with a strategic focus on environmental protection.

Mission 3, Goal 4 of this strategy is to develop market opportunities at home and abroad through increasing efforts to gain and maintain market access for key product categories in priority international markets. Korea was identified as one of these priority markets for beef as a result of a ‘Prioritising Markets: Opportunities for Growth’ exercise, undertaken in conjunction with Bord Bia and industry stakeholders. As such, one of my priorities for the trade mission was to advance the issue of Irish beef access.

Maintaining and building on existing market access will require an intensified programme of inward and outward Government to Government meetings and technical discussions, as well as utilising the network of DAFM attachés located in Irish Embassies across the globe. New markets with different cuisines offer opportunities to add value through the utilisation of the entire cattle carcass. Most importantly this does not mean an increase in beef volume or production. The emphasis here is on added value.

Net global population growing by 80 million people annually. Many of our export markets will have demand for different parts of the animal that are not consumed domestically. This reduces food waste and contributes to global food security.

I am satisfied that the Irish beef sector is well positioned to balance future development with the need for reduced carbon emissions. Beef farm enterprises contribute significantly to the economic sustainability and social fabric of rural areas.

Food Vision 2030 contains several actions to guide stakeholder efforts in the sustainable development of the beef sector. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has been successful in accessing and developing new market opportunities both at home and abroad and satisfying consumer demand for food that is safe, nutrient rich and sustainably sourced.

Irish beef exports continue to compete effectively in overseas markets. According to the CSO, Irish beef exports averaged over 500,000 tonnes in the period 2018 to 2022 and were worth, on average, €2.5 billion annually. Putting the beef sector on a more sustainable footing is a key priority of mine. Working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders and across government, I believe that we can build a more resilient beef sector for the current and future generations of farmers.