Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006
516 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of third country markets opened in the past four years for Irish food products; the products and tonnage involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25859/06]
View answerWhile our primary objective is to consolidate market penetration within the EU for high quality and value-added products, it is also important to expand industry access to commercially attractive third country markets. In relation to beef, and in line with that policy, there has been a very considerable shift in our trade towards the EU market which now takes 92 % of our overall exports, compared with 51 % 5 years ago. The main access difficulties on third country markets related to beef. In recent years the Russian, Algerian and Egyptian markets for Irish beef have been re-opened. A total of 260,000 tonnes of Irish beef was exported to third countries during the period 2002 to 2005. Russia was the most significant third country export market for Irish beef accounting for just over 230,000 tonnes. While market access to Algeria and Egypt was improved during this time, only a relatively small amount of trade to these destinations has been taking place.
Some other markets remain closed since cases of BSE in Europe were confirmed in 2000. In line with the commitment in the Agri Vision 2015 Action Plan, the Department will continue its efforts in conjunction with the State Agencies and Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that as many as possible of these third countries are open to our exports. Prospects for reopening the United Arab Emirates market are good and I am also hopeful of positive developments on potential export opportunities in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Kuwait, Israel, Japan, China and South Africa.
On pigmeat, in addition to our established worldwide export markets such as Japan, USA, Hong Kong and Russia, there were three new markets opened in the last four years. The tonnage involved would average in or around 200 tonnes per annum. Pigmeat exports consist mainly of shoulder, middle, leg and fifth quarter cuts. My Department and Bord Bia maintain an ongoing relationship with pigmeat markets in order to promote trade and maintain a profile for Irish product and in this connection a most promising and potential market at present is China. Last year I signed a protocol with my Chinese counterpart to facilitate the commencement of direct trade in Irish pigmeat to that country. We have since had a veterinary delegation here from China to inspect our meat plants and we are now in the final stages of completing the process. I expect pigmeat exports to that destination to start in the near future.
Dairy and drinks exports are also significant with dairy products being exported to over 100 countries worldwide. The main products are butter, cheese, skimmed milk powder (SMP), whole milk powder (WMP) and casein and products containing dairy ingredients such as baby food, liqueurs, dairy spreads are also exported. I have worked hard to assist in the development of new and existing markets for Irish dairy products through ensuring that all the market aid mechanisms available are deployed in an effective manner so as to enable the dairy sector consolidate and grow its share of international markets. I acknowledge and welcome the investment by Irish dairy processors in R&D which will continue the drive towards greater levels of innovation and diversity in product mix and will help maintain our competitiveness in the face of challenges ahead.
