Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 4

Written Answers. - Beef Exports.

Johnny Brady

Question:

215 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total beef output here; the total domestic consumption; the total beef exports and their destination; the total beef imports and their country of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22215/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The information requested is set out in the tables below:

Beef Production and Exports 2002 ('000 tonnes)

Total Production	505
Domestic Consumption	60
Total Exports	445
U.K.	245
Other EU	110
3rd Countries	90

Beef Imports 2002 (tonnes)

	Unprocessed	Processed	Total
U.K.	4,137	3,188	7,325
Other EU	3,401	476	3,877
Brazil	4,166	856	5,022
Uruguay	821	–	821
Argentina	217	170	287
Namibia	244	–	244
Total Imports	12,987	4,591	17,578

Imports from the UK include the return of product from customers and the return of beef that had been exported to the UK and Northern Ireland for cutting up or processing. Beef products sourced in the UK must be from designated processing plants prior to export. Supplies of beef from third countries 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 beef must meet all EU veterinary and hygiene standards.