Bernard Allen
Question:27 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the markets which have re-opened for Irish agricultural products since June 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3978/03]
Written Answers. - Agricultural Exports.
Prior to the BSE crisis in mainland Europe late in 2000, Ireland had recovered all of its traditionally important export markets which had closed as a consequence of the earlier crisis in 1996. Following the crisis in 2000, which arose from developments in other member states, a number of third country markets imposed Europe-wide bans on beef imports. There has never been a restriction on Irish beef within the EU due to BSE.
It is my policy and that of the government that Irish beef should be free to enter any market where exporters consider there are commercial possibilities. Where there are restrictions due to BSE, every effort has, and will continue to be made at political, diplomatic and technical level to have them removed. As a consequence of these efforts, Egypt, which had been our largest market for beef, lifted the ban on Irish beef imports in October 2001 and the resumption of exports is now a commercial matter for the industry. Furthermore, following contacts between the Irish and Russian authorities restrictions on the supply of beef from certain counties were lifted and this has substantially improved access to that market for Irish beef. Intensive efforts are continuing in relation to other traditional markets for Irish beef which remain closed to us, such as the gulf states, South Africa and Indonesia.
France is the principal export market for Irish lamb, with over 80% of Irish exports destined for that market. Marketing efforts are continuing with Portugal, Italy and Spain and as peak demand in these markets is for the Christmas period it is expected that returns from those markets will increase at that time. Lamb exports to Germany and Belgium have maintained consistent levels. All markets to which Irish pigmeat has traditionally been exported are currently open. Japan and Korea were reopened in 2002 follow ing protracted negotiations aimed at lifting the bans imposed because of foot and mouth disease. Other countries such as Hong Kong, South Africa, USA and Russia were brought back before the end of 2001. My Department is engaged in attempting to negotiate access to new markets such as China and Australia.
The extent to which such countries are willing to engage in such negotiations or to accept product varies, as do the procedures to be followed in each case. I am conscious of the importance to the pig industry here of having access to as wide a range of markets as possible and to this end my Department, along with An Bord Bia, will continue to pursue this issue with all countries offering realistic prospects for trade. Although some difficulties with markets have arisen from time to time in the dairy sector over the period since June 1997, these have all been satisfactorily resolved.