Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 3

Written Answers. - Export Markets.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

58 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the exports market likely to be available to, and most lucrative for, agricultural produce in the future; the number of markets available and likely to so become; the plans, if any, he has for opening up new markets, with particular reference to the meat and dairy industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9636/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The development of export markets for Irish food products is primarily the responsibility of the food industry working in conjunction with my Department and An Bord Bia. In that context, I have visited a number of key market outlets.

The Irish meat and dairy industries export to a wide range of markets worldwide. It is my objective to ensure that all of these markets remain open to Irish meat exports and that all available market outlets, particularly the high valued added markets, are fully exploited. While the Irish share of the EU market for beef has fallen since 1995 because of the renationalisation of the EU market in the aftermath of the 1996 BSE scare, considerable progress has been made in regaining these markets. Irish beef exports performed strongly on continental EU markets in 1999 when exports to France increased by 14%, to Italy by 33% and to other EU destinations by 36%. Nevertheless, it remains one of the major priorities for the Irish beef industry to recover and consolidate its presence on EU markets. In that context I have visited Italy, France and the Netherlands recently to promote the consumption of Irish beef in those markets.

In the case of lamb, while there have been some moves towards re-nationalisation of certain markets, especially in France and Spain, Irish exports of lamb increased by almost 6% in the last year. Bord Bia continues to seek new markets for lamb and is currently involved in lamb promotion campaigns in France and Scandinavia. A good market for Irish lamb is expected in the Mediterranean region in 2000.

Since 1996, Irish exports of pigmeat have increased by 35% to 135,000 tonnes and, despite the difficult market conditions, there was an 8% increase in sales last year. Exports to the UK are expected to strengthen during the year, sales to continental Europe are forecast to increase gradually during 2000 and the prospects for further increased exports to Japan this year are positive.

Looking forward, the prospects for dairy commodities and dairy ingredients are quite positive. I expect that the growth in income levels and changing eating patterns in developing countries over the medium term will boost demand for dairy products in these markets. There is continuing scope to increase Ireland's penetration of the internal EU market for value added dairy products. In addition, Eastern enlargement of the EU over the medium term should also provide valuable outlets for high quality Irish dairy products.

On the general issue of support for the agri-food industry to enable us to maintain and improve our competitiveness both domestically and on export markets, there are specific food related initiatives set out in the National Development Plan 2000-2006 designed to assist product development. Those initiatives provide for a total public funding allocation of £282 million and will be implemented as part of operational programmes that are currently being prepared.

My Department, in conjunction with An Bord Bia, will continue to endeavour to exploit opportunities in both the EU and international markets. Nevertheless, in the final analysis it is a matter for the agri-food industry to capitalise on the high quality of Irish products. I am satisfied that the State services provided to the food industry, through An Bord Bia and other agencies, will help the industry to achieve the objective of maintaining and increasing our market share.