Written Answers. - Meat Markets.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
65
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
if he has satisfied himself that the beef, lamb and pigmeat sectors are competing on a level playing pitch on home and overseas markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14028/03]
The Irish beef, sheepmeat and pigmeat sectors operate in the same regulatory environment and are subject to the same types of market forces as is the industry throughout the EU. Clearly factors such as supply, demand, price, competition and disease status can vary from time to time.
It is my policy and that of the government that Irish beef, sheepmeat and pigmeat should be free to enter any market where exporters consider there are commercial possibilities. Every effort has, and will continue to be made at political, diplomatic and technical level to have all potential markets open to Irish exporters.
Ireland exports beef or beef products to all member states of the EU and imports small quantities from most of these countries. Imports from the EU represent some 3% of total exports to those markets. Russia accounts for the vast bulk of beef exports to third countries although Cyprus and Malta also take substantial quantities and small volumes of beef and beef products are exported to a further 31 countries worldwide. Imports from third country markets, primarily Brazil, represent only some 4% of Irish beef exports to those markets.
Supplies of beef from non-EU countries may enter the EU and be sold legally anywhere on the EU market. This meat can be imported into the EU on payment of EU tariffs or under certain agreed preferential quotas operated under the WTO. A condition of entry to the EU is that the meat must meet all EU veterinary and hygiene standards. Although Ireland exports more than 90% of its beef production, it is the case that quantities of third country beef have been imported into Ireland under these arrangements. These imports have been largely used for further processing, the bulk of which is then re-exported. A small quantity of imported beef is also used in the catering trade.
Virtually no pigmeat is imported into Ireland from third countries although competition on the home market is provided by product coming from other EU member states which operate under the same regulatory regime. All markets to which Irish pigmeat has traditionally been exported are currently open. Japan and Korea were reopened in 2002 following protracted negotiations aimed at lifting the bans imposed because of foot and mouth disease. Other markets such as Hong Kong, South Africa, USA and Russia were re-opened before the end of 2001. My Department is seeking 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.
As regards sheepmeat, as the EU is a deficit area and a net importer of lamb, export to non-EU countries does not arise. Total imports into Ireland, which come in equal parts from the EU and from third countries, constitute a small percentage of total domestic production. The bulk of our export trade is with France, which takes some 80% of the total.
