asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate the steps taken to increase the export of dressed beef to the Federal Republic of Germany, and if he will make a general statement on the market potentialities for finished beef in that country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beef Exports to Germany.
Mr. Moylan
The import of meat into West Germany has not been liberalised, and imports from Ireland are admitted under quota arrangements negotiated with the German authorities each year. Pursuant to those arrangements a total of 5,680 tons of chilled and frozen beef have been exported to West Germany in the first nine months of this year, as compared with 2,525 tons in the complete year 1956.
Every opportunity that has presented itself of developing this trade has been fully availed of. Officers of my Department have visited Germany on a number of occasions during the past two years in connection with the trade, with particular reference to German import regulations and veterinary requirements. The Irish Legation at Bonn keeps in close touch with the German authorities and reports any developments which come to its notice; and such information is then circulated to the trade here by my Department.
As current trade negotiations with Germany have not yet been completed, the Deputy will appreciate that it is not feasible to make a general statement as requested in the second part of his question.