Johnny Brady
Question:21 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the export of beef to Russia and if there is any difficulty with the trade. [24477/04]
View answerWednesday, 13 October 2004
Questions (20)
Written answers
Beef exports to Russia, which is a valuable market for Irish beef, are proceeding satisfactorily. Last year, Ireland exported some 75,000 tonnes of beef to the Russian Federation, which amounted to 11.5% of total Russian beef imports. In 2003, Russia introduced quotas on the importation of beef and pork to restrict imports and protect domestic production. The allocation to the EU amounted to 80% of the total and provides an opportunity for Irish exporters to develop this market further.
The recent agreement between the EU and the Russian Federation on a uniform set of veterinary certificates to be used by all EU member states exporting to Russia has averted what might otherwise have caused disruption to trade in animal products. An important element of the agreement is that Russia has accepted the principle of regionalisation so that an animal disease outbreak in a part of a member state will not block exports from the whole of that country nor from the rest of the EU. This will help to maintain market stability and keep the market open for EU product should isolated outbreaks of disease occur within the EU.
I am confident that the Russian market will continue to be an important outlet for Irish beef.