Bernard J. Durkan
Question:185 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the new markets she has identified for Irish agricultural or food products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38636/05]
View answerThursday, 8 December 2005
Questions (185)
Written answers
The development of new markets for Irish food produce is primarily the responsibility of the food industry itself. Having said that, my Department, in co-operation with the statutory food promotion agency, Bord Bia, will continue to assist the industry to identify markets for Irish agricultural and food produce in the EU and internationally, to build on existing markets in terms of extending the value-added component, to identifying market segments with growth potential and to innovate to retain consumer and buyer interest.
In the past year, I worked closely with the development agencies and the industry on the successful trade visit to China which was led by the Taoiseach and on a trade visit to the United States, which gave me a deep understanding of the potential of these markets, the pace of transformation of the economies and the key role played by research. The visit to China resulted in the signing of a protocol to facilitate Irish trade in pork products and marked a further step in building beneficial trading relationships.
Closer to home, I was pleased to promote value-added meat products identified as Irish in French supermarket chains and subsequently, in September, to launch the Bord Bia "Irish Beef in Europe" campaign, which is aimed at building sales of Irish beef in European supermarkets and establishing the "Irish Beef" brand firmly in the minds of consumers. Initial feedback is encouraging in terms of improved demand. This promotional work by Bord Bia coupled with the marketing effort of the industry will be continued in order to build further sustainable market share in Europe which is where the future long-term success of the Irish beef industry lies.
Regarding third country trade in primary products, my Department, in co-operation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Bord Bia, continues to make every effort to increase the number of markets for Irish beef. Russia, Algeria and Egypt are important markets for our beef while the Lebanon is an importer of live cattle. A delegation from my Department and Bord Bia visited Egypt in August this year to finalise negotiations in this area with the Egyptian authorities. This resulted in the signing of a new protocol on animal health matters to improve the conditions under which exports to that country can take place. A special export refund has also been maintained to support the beef trade to Egypt. To-date, 1,900 tonnes of beef have been shipped to this destination under the new arrangements.
Markets change at home as well as abroad and during 2005, I asked Bord Bia to assess the market opportunities and changing patterns of consumer demand in the horticulture sector. The call for investment proposals subsequently issued by my Department attracted a strong response, and the proposals submitted are being evaluated on a competitive basis following which decisions will be taken on the award of grant aid.