Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
892. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his future expectations for the development of the beef industry with particular reference to maintaining Ireland’s share of the international market and retaining a competitive edge; if he anticipates new market prospects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47930/12]
View answerI am confident that the beef sector has a positive future, based on expanding global demand, and that the ambitious targets which it set for itself in Food Harvest 2020 can be met.
Notwithstanding the ongoing consolidation of the public finances, my Department and the agencies under its remit continue to provide an array of financial and infrastructural supports to underpin production and employment in the beef sector. Apart from the promotional work of Bord Bia, these include initiatives such as the Beef Technology Adoption Programme, the retention of the suckler cow scheme in 2012 and the advisory work of Teagasc especially in connection with the expanded BETTER beef farm programme. I also chair the high level implementation group set up to monitor progress on the 2020 strategy and take appropriate action to assist the agri-food sector to deliver the growth in output value envisaged for the various commodities including beef.
While the great majority of our beef exports are destined for other EU member states, it is always beneficial to have a wide range of market outlets available for our high-quality beef products and my Department is working actively – in collaboration with the industry, Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – to secure access to more third country outlets for Irish beef. As a result of these efforts, Ireland has reached agreements over recent years with the authorities in Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt and Singapore which allow for the export of Irish beef.
I have also been assiduous in developing links and nurturing relationships in new and expanding markets in order to build confidence in Irish production and control systems which will provide a platform for long-term trading relationships in the future. As part of that effort, I headed trade missions earlier this year to China and the USA, during which I raised the subject of access for Irish beef with my ministerial counterparts. The Deputy will be aware that the issue of access for Irish beef to both of these markets are priorities for me.
Other targeted markets for Irish beef access include Japan, Korea and the North African and Middle East regions. My Department is engaging actively with the authorities in these countries in order to secure access for beef products. There is a strong demand for beef globally and my Department remains focused, in consultation with the industry, on ensuring that Irish exporters are able to fully exploit the opportunities that flow from favourable market conditions.
Exploiting the strong sustainability credentials of the grass-fed Irish beef sector will be a key element in the strategy to develop international markets for Irish beef. In this context, the 32,000 members of the Bord Bia Beef Quality Assurance (QA) Scheme are committed to actively measuring and reducing their carbon emissions. This is the only QA programme in the world that has an environmental element operating on a national basis. It is my belief that this important development will give Irish beef exports a genuine competitive advantage in securing premium product status in fiercely competitive foreign markets. Improved product offerings backed by appropriate marketing are the best route to greater market returns and increased viability across the supply chain for all stakeholders – particularly producers.
In addition, the leading Irish beef processing companies have also embraced the concept of sustainability under Origin Green. This is a comprehensive national sustainability development programme, the first of its kind in the world, designed by Bord Bia to assist Ireland become known as the optimum source of sustainably produced food and drink. Industry recruitment commenced in June 2012 and to date 79 companies, accounting for over 50% of Irish food and drink exports, have signed up to the programme. Central to the Origin Green concept is a sustainability charter that will commit Ireland’s agri-food industry, including beef processors, to engage directly and robustly with the challenges of sustainable production: reducing energy inputs, minimizing their overall carbon footprint and lessening their impact on the environment.
