Vol. 545 No. 3
6 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress being achieved in the recovery of beef markets in Europe, especially in continental markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30051/01]
No BSE related restrictions on Irish beef or beef products have been imposed by the EU Commission or by any individual member state of the EU and I am satisfied, therefore, that beef exports have ready access to all EU markets. Nonetheless, reduced beef consumption in mainland Europe following the BSE crisis there late last year has had an adverse affect on Irish beef exports to those countries. While exports to continental markets have fallen substantially over the past year, I am happy to say that decline has been offset by increased beef exports to the UK. Exports to this market are running at about double last year's levels and the indications are that this level of trade will continue for the foreseeable future. Beef consumption in the EU as a whole is steadily recovering from the serious collapse in late 2000. This is due to a restoration of confidence in the product as a result of measures taken at EU level. Also, the schemes put in place to deal with the overhang of product on the market have had a useful effect in helping to restore balance. All of this will help Ireland's efforts to regain our former levels of sales to the markets in question.
There was an announcement about the Egyptian market and it was heralded as a great success. My information from some of the meat processing plants is that in practice this announcement has absolutely no relevance. I ask the Minister to say what progress has been made? What quantity has been exported to Egypt? My information is that to put it into practice as it stands at the moment is totally impractical. Many of the meat plants are not interested in it, good, bad or indifferent. It is a goodwill effort to gain the market but it is not relevant in practice.
The Deputy is aware that after a long period of time and due to major political, diplomatic and every other pressure, the market has been re-opened and certified at their level of 24 months of age. That is no different to the previous conditions that pertained to beef imports. It is a matter of interpretation by the Egyptians.
Not an ounce of beef has gone out.
Order, please.
Where is the beef?
The Minister of State without interruption.
The reality is people have to apply for licences over there in order to import beef.
They are not applying.
They are. I was talking to two Egyptians who are applying with a well-known company in this country to import boxed beef of 24 months of age. As soon as that is in place we are ready to fill the market.
What amount of live cattle has been exported in the past twelve months?
That is a separate question. The numbers are about 42,000.
To what countries were they exported?
To Lebanon and some to England; Italy and Spain. That is all the information I have at the moment.
Only weanlings have been sent to Spain.
That is what that market wants. Weanlings are cattle and that is what they want.
