Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 4

Written Answers. - Beef Exports.

Michael Ferris

Question:

14 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, he has taken at both Government and diplomatic levels to have the market access on legal exports into the Russian Federation and Iran removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23355/97]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

65 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proposals, if any, he has to address the serious matter of access to foreign markets for Irish beef; the action, if any, he will take to ensure ready access for these Irish products abroad and a specific policy focus which will ensure that Irish meat and meat products receive acclaim in keeping with the exceptionally high health and quality status which it has achieved over the years in contrast to other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23213/97]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

96 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the current position regarding the lifting of market access restrictions for carcase beef into the Russian market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23470/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 65 and 96 together.

Irish beef is exported to over 60 markets world wide, including most member states of the EU, Asia, Africa and the Americas. The level of our exports was adversely affected as a result of the fall off in demand following the BSE crisis. Due to the extremely low incidence of BSE in Ireland and the effectiveness of our controls, it has been possible to provide assurances to allow trade continue in most of our international markets. The removal of BSE related restrictions imposed by a number of countries is, of course, a matter to which I have accorded utmost priority and significant progress has been made in particular in the Gulf States and Russia.

Following negotiations with a Russian delegation led by the Russian Deputy Agriculture Minister, a protocol was concluded which lifted the ban on exports of beef from County Wexford. This represented the first easing of the restrictions imposed by Russia in November 1996. The agreement comes up for review again in January next and I am hopeful that the process of lifting county restrictions will continue.

As regards Iran, contacts at a diplomatic level between EU member states and that country were suspended for a period. These contacts have recently been renewed and I am hopeful that as a result of this, an early meeting will be arranged at veterinary level to discuss lifting the prohibition on imports of Irish beef imposed in March 1996.

Every effort will continue to be made by my Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and An Bord Bia to maintain and expand market access and to promote Irish beef as a quality and safe product produced under stringent controls. The recent reduction in what was, in any event, a very low level of BSE in Ireland will underpin these efforts in the coming months. It is expected that Irish beef exports will reach a level of 450,000 tonnes this year.