Austin Deasy
Question:11 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has requested CBF to seek new markets and to revive lapsed markets in the Middle East and Far East; and if not, if he proposes doing so.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Agricultural Markets.
The functions of CBF under the Córas Beostoic and Feola Acts, 1979 and 1988, vest in CBF responsibility for the promotion of exports of cattle and beef, amongst other livestock products.
As the Deputy is aware, 1990 was a particularly difficult year for markets in the Middle and Far East because of the Gulf War and concerns regarding BSE. In recognition of the difficult market situation I secured Government approval for the allocation of an additional £0.25 million to CBF in 1990, and my Department monitored the market situation closely with CBF.
During this period, together with officials of my Department, I met with various third country delegations in an effort to improve the overall trading conditions under which the meat industry operate in these markets. CBF and producers drew up a five year development plan in consultation with the industry for an intensive marketing effort. As a measure of support for that plan the Exchequer grant-in-aid to CBF was increased this year to £1.5 million on condition that the meat industry provide similar levels of funding on a voluntary basis. CBF will also receive funding under the EC Structural Funds for specific marketing projects.
While increased penetration of EC markets for value added products must be the major target, I am happy that CBF are also maintaining a close watch on markets in the Middle and Far East so that Irish exporters will be in a good position to exploit export opportunities as they arise. Adherence by the trade to the conditions of the new CBF beef quality scheme will be an important factor in improving the overall prospects for our exports.
Are we selling beef at present to Iran?
No, but I am glad to say that cattle are being exported to Yemen and Turkey, markets which were closed to us because of the BSE outbreak in Britain. The Deputy will appreciate that the very mention of this publicly in the House can cause reaction. I am glad to say that tenders have been invited by Libya — admittedly in small quantities — for beef from Ireland. After recent discussions with the Organisation for International Veterinary Medicine, it has become clear that any impression of there being a taint on our product because of the BSE outbreak in Britain is erroneously founded. I hope that, very shortly, the chief veterinary surgeons in Libya and Iran will be able to publicly and formally tell their Government that there is no reason for limiting our live cattle exports to those countries.
The markets in Yemen and Turkey are mere drops in the ocean compared to the market we had in Iran. Will the Minister say what quantity of beef or numbers of cattle we are at present selling to Egypt and Libya?
That is a separate question.
I do not have that information.
We are not selling anything to them and that has been the case for the last six months.
If that is the case — and the Deputy must measure whether it is in anyone's interest to say that — I do not suppose he is apportioning blame to anyone in this House or elsewhere.
I was the Minister who developed these markets and the Minister should do likewise.
The Deputy is aware that I have been to Iran and Libya. If he wants to present things in a simplistic way he can do that but it is not in anyone's interest.
Passing the buck.
Deputy Deasy should take the Iranian and Libyan chief veterinary surgeons by the throat and tell them that they must do as he says.
It is all about charisma which the Minister obviously does not have.
Please refrain from making simplistic suggestions. The indications are that a new view is being taken of the inappropriate and unnecessary reaction to cattle or beef from Ireland because of the BSE outbreak in Britain, in Russia, Brazil and elsewhere, as well as in the two other countries I mentioned. I hope very shortly there will be no reluctance to export cattle or beef from Ireland.
Will the Minister agree that there was a stop-go Government policy in relation to funding for CBF? The withdrawal of funding in good years was detrimental to the operation of the board, and markets were lost as a result. Will the Minister categorically state that sufficient funding will be available to CBF to enable them to attack the market to help our farmers?
I attended a launch recently by my Department and CBF of the new quality beef assurance scheme and it is clear that CBF's marketing programme is better than anything that was ever done before. I have attended new marketing promotions of CBF in parts of Europe which were not penetrated previously and I will be doing that again very shortly. I am glad to tell the House that a senior statesman — if you might call him that — in the cattle industry, not unrelated to the leader of the Deputy's party, acknowledged that this promotion is the most exciting thing which has happened in the beef industry since it started.
The Minister stated he has provided £2.5 million to CBF but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. What have the results been from CBF? What new markets have they created for our cattle abroad? What is their future policy? Will they get results before the end of the year?
The Deputy is aware that the circumstances which inhibited our exports, namely, the BSE outbreak in Britain, the Iran-Iaq war, consumer reaction against beef and bad habits, all damaged our beef industry. Some matters are within our own control and quality is certainly one of them. Outbreaks of war in other parts of the world are not. I am satisfied that CBF are undertaking a major, dynamic promotion to ensure that only the best will come from the Irish beef sector.
That is cold comfort to the cattle producers.