Bernard J. Durkan
Question:110 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to explore new markets for Irish beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9421/03]
Written Answers - Beef Exports.
It is my policy and that of the Govern ment that Irish beef should be free to enter any market where exporters consider there are commercial possibilities. Every effort continues to be made at political, diplomatic and technical level to achieve that objective. This strategy not only involves my own Department but the Department of Foreign Affairs as well as An Bord Bia which is the body charged with the promotion of Irish beef and other food products worldwide. The primary commercial task of identifying and exploiting markets remains a matter for the industry itself. Equally, where markets have been re-opened, it is for the industry to avail of the re-opening and to fully exploit any opportunities arising as a result.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:111 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has had any recent discussions, and with whom, to promote Irish beef on new or existing markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9422/03]
It is my policy and that of the Government that Irish beef should have unrestricted access to any market where exporters consider there are commercial possibilities. Every effort has and will continue to be made at political, diplomatic and technical levels to have all potential markets open to Irish beef exporters. Although the Egyptian market re-opened in late 2001, trade has not yet resumed in commercial quantities. My Department is in contact with the Egyptian authorities on a number of technical issues. Following my representations to Commissioner Fischler last September, the EU increased export refunds by up to 30% on beef exported to Egypt. As a result of ongoing 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 continue in relation to other important markets for Irish beef such as the Gulf states, South Africa and Indonesia.
An Bord Bia is the State body charged with promoting the sale of Irish beef and other food products worldwide and with underpinning the marketing endeavours of our food companies. It regularly participates in trade fairs in a variety of countries while undertaking promotion campaigns in selected markets. From my Department's perspective, the marketing of beef is very much concerned with providing the necessary guarantees in relation to the safety of the product. The quality of the controls in place in the beef sector are such that we are in a position to provide consumers with the maximum possible guarantees about the safety of Irish beef.