Vol. 561 No. 3
78 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the extent to which imports of milk and beef are affecting the domestic market; the percentage of milk and beef consumed here which is imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3866/03]
In all, Ireland produces 500,000 tonnes of beef and consumes 65,000 tonnes on an annual basis.
It is estimated that Ireland imports approximately 11,000 tonnes of beef annually, not all of which is consumed in the domestic market. The majority of EU beef imports originates or transits the UK and include beef products that were originally exported from Ireland for cutting up or processing, or product re-imported for technical-commercial reasons.
Third country beef imports enter Ireland on payment of tariffs or under certain agreed preferential quotas operated under the World Trade Organisation. These imports are largely used for further processing as pizza topping, meat pies, and lasagne, and are re-exported in these forms. The importation of beef products is permissible under EU law provided that the products concerned comply with relevant EU veterinary and labelling legislation.
The domestic milk intake by creameries and pasteurisers in 2002 was 5,036 million litres; of which imported milk amounted to 273 million litres or 5% of the total. The imported milk is made up of both liquid milk for human consumption from Northern Ireland and milk for processing. Much of the milk imported for processing would, of course, be exported in the form of milk products in line with the largely export-orientated profile of the dairy industry. Milk imported for the drinking milk market accounts for about 13% of that market.
