Olivia Mitchell
Question:92 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the predictions he has for the beef market and beef exports for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25707/02]
Written Answers. - Beef Exports.
The beef market within the EU has made a strong recovery since the most recent BSE crisis with consumption levels regaining most of the ground lost at that time. During 2003, it is anticipated that EU consumption levels will increase to within 2% to 3% of pre-2000 levels. When this is combined with lower EU production, which is also predicted, the overall forecast for the 2003 beef market is more positive than it has been for some time. While an increase in EU imports is predicted, it is also expected that there will be a further recovery in exports from the EU. From an Irish point of view, further moves towards overall EU balance in the beef market can only be positive and this should have beneficial effects on the Irish beef sector as a whole.
As regards volume of exports, the UK will continue to be the principal market for Irish beef in 2003. Import requirements for that market are expected to increase from 35% of total consumption to 40%. I expect that Ireland will maintain and possibly increase its share of this market.
Efforts at diplomatic, political and technical levels to regain access for Irish beef exports to third country markets will continue in 2003 involving this Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Bord Bia.
The decision by Egypt, which had been our largest market for beef, in October of last year to lift the ban on Irish beef imports was a welcome development for Irish cattle and beef sectors. All the technical-veterinary issues to permit trade resume have been agreed with the Egyptian authorities. The resumption of beef exports to Egypt is now a commercial matter for the industry. The recent introduction of a special EU export refund rate for Egypt which is 30% above the normal level should be of major help in allowing Irish exporters regain a strong presence in this important market. This refund was introduced following strong representations to the EU Commission. I have made it clear to the industry here that I believe a longer term perspective should be taken in this market in view of its importance as a major importer and that the opportunity now presented by the reopening of the market and the introduction of an exceptionally high refund level should not be lost. I hope trade with the Egyptian market will resume early in 2003.
The Russian veterinary authorities lifted the remaining restrictions they had on beef from counties Cavan, Cork, Limerick, Meath, Monaghan and Wexford. This was particularly welcome on two fronts. First, it represented a major and much needed boost to Ireland by having such an important market as Russia lift all BSE related restrictions and give a full endorsement to our controls systems. Second, from a commercial-trading point of view, it gave hugely increased flexibility to exporters in supplying this growing market.
My Department, with the assistance of Bord Bia and our ambassador in Saudi Arabia, hosted a conference on food safety and consumer protection in the beef sector last October in Dublin aimed specifically at important markets in the gulf region. The conference, which was attended by experts from the Gulf Cooperation Council's food safety committee representing Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, afforded the visiting experts from those gulf states the opportunity to assess the level and effectiveness of Ireland's BSE controls and reaction to the conference was very positive. The GCC's food safety committee will consider the report on the conference over the Christmas period.
We are also in ongoing contact with the South African, Philippines and Indonesian authorities at technical and diplomatic level with a view to having those markets reopened to Irish beef. Earlier this year, my Department hosted visits by delegations from South Africa and the Philippines and is following up on these markets. We have been in contact with the Indonesian authorities at political and technical level with a view to having an Indonesian delegation visit Ireland at the earliest opportunity.