Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 4

Written Answers - Trade Missions.

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

64 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the results that will accrue to aquaculture and marineculture farming in Ireland arising out of his recent visit to China; and the species of fish and fish products that the Chinese Government will be interested in. [22477/97]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I led the BIM seafood trade mission to China last month. This was the largest Irish trade delegation to visit China to date. It involved participation by BIM and 18 Irish seafood companies at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo 1997 as well as an intensive round of meetings with Ministers, State officials, State companies and seafood importers.

The strategic aim of the mission was to significantly boost Irish seafood exports into the Chinese market which is the largest seafood market in the world and which imports over $1.5 billion of seafood each year. The trade mission has confirmed that there are promising commercial opportunities for a range of Irish fish products in the Chinese market notably salmon, mackerel and herring and high value shellfish including crab, scallop and whelks. Ireland already exports around £600,000 worth of seafood products to China and sustained development of this market potential will expand our presence in the Asia seafood scene generally where Irish seafood exports were worth £30 million over the past five years.

The promising commercial links, particularly on the specific products mentioned, which were established during the visit are now being systematically followed up by BIM and the Irish companies concerned. Our high quality image for seafood products gives us a competitive edge and I believe that in the medium-term we will see real commercial outcomes from this initiative.

During the visit I also signed an agreement on co-operation and technology exchange in the aquaculture field. China is a world leader in production technology for a number of shellfish species such as abalone which are at development stage in Ireland. The information exchange will be of commercial importance to the Irish shellfish sector in developing new areas of potential. In return Ireland has offered technical services and expertise in the area of quality and hygiene standards for shellfish and fish products in which the Chinese authorities showed particular interest.