Bernard J. Durkan
Question:142 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of new overseas markets secured for Irish beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9957/00]
Written Answers. - Export Markets.
Irish beef is currently exported to some 60 countries worldwide. While it is the primary responsibility of the industry to market beef, this endeavour is underpinned and encouraged by the work of An Bord Bia in the area of marketing and promotion and by my own Department in the context of market supports and veterinary matters. I am happy to say that Ireland continues to supply all of its traditional export markets and to exploit any new markets which may exist.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:143 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of new overseas markets secured in the past three years for Irish lamb; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9958/00]
The main export markets for Irish lamb are France, which takes over 75% of our sheepmeat, Germany, United Kingdom and the Mediterranean countries, to which our lighter lambs are exported. These markets have remained largely unchanged over the past number of years. An Bord Bia, which has responsibility for supporting the industry in the promotion and marketing of sheepmeat, is, of course, continuing to seek out and develop new markets. An Bord Bia has recently been involved in a generic lamb promotion campaign in France in conjunction with Interbev. It is also looking at markets in Scandinavia. The market for Irish lamb in the Mediterranean region is expected to be relatively strong this year.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:144 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of new overseas markets secured for Irish pork and bacon products in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9959/00]
While the export of pork is primarily a matter for the industry, ongoing support in every way possible continues to be provided in terms of promotion by An Bord Bia and also by my Department in the context of market support and veterinary matters.
Irish pork and bacon is currently exported to more than 40 countries around the world. The principal volume markets are within the European community and by value some 12% is exported to destinations outside the EU.
Since the conclusion of the last WTO agreement, Irish exporters have access to a number of new non-EU markets and for example, in the far east they have capitalised on this. In 1999 exports to the Japanese market increased to almost 10,000 tonnes from a level of 3,000 to 5,000 tonnes a few years ago. Additionally, new customers have been developed in markets such as South Korea, China and the Philippines.
Last year Ireland's trade to Russia was boosted greatly by the industry obtaining special veterin ary approval for supplying pork destined for retail sale. Exports increased threefold to 6,700 tonnes.
There are exports of Irish pork to all the major EU markets, with the principal ones being the UK, Germany, Italy and France. The opening up of the Swedish market in 1998-99 represented an important step in the development of this business.