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Beef Exports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Questions (870)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

870. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the stance by Canada in refusing to allow access for EU beef into their jurisdiction, the progress that has been made in negotiations to ensure a fairer and more balanced approach in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1073/13]

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Written answers

I share the Deputy’s concerns regarding Canada’s position in relation to beef market access in the EU / Canada free trade negotiations where they are maintaining their ban on beef imports from the EU but, we understand, seeking large quotas for Canadian beef exports to Europe.

My concerns in this regard are two-fold. Firstly Canada, which has the same OIE ‘controlled BSE’ status as many EU countries, refuses to accept these OIE international standards and allow market access for EU beef into Canada, while at the same time it expects that the EU will grant large beef quotas into the EU. (The OIE is the international body charged with setting epidemiological standards in the meat sector.) Second, I have major concerns with the size and composition of the quotas sought by Canada, which could undermine the high value cuts segment of the EU where Ireland competes and which provides the greatest return to our producers.

I have made my position very clear to the Commission. Last April, Ireland submitted a position paper on these negotiations to the Trade Policy Committee, highlighting our concerns over the non-recognition by Canada of the OIE international standards on beef. I personally wrote to both the EU Agriculture and Trade Commissioners in November, highlighting the political sensitivities for Ireland regarding beef market access. This followed contact the previous month by the Secretary General of my Department with the Director Generals of the Agriculture and Trade Directorates in the Commission.

In his response, the Agriculture Commissioner stated that he has highlighted the sensitivity of beef market access in these trade negotiations with his Canadian Ministerial counterpart and agrees that the sensitivity of beef should not only be reflected in the size of the quotas offered but also in their breakdown. He also agreed with Ireland’s position on the necessary reopening of the Canadian beef market for EU exports and that Canada must commit itself to reopening the Canadian market to EU beef before the conclusion of the CETA agreement. The Commissioner has also highlighted that dairy is the key offensive interest in the CETA negotiations and that EU negotiations are seeking a meaningful opening of Canada dairy market.

When the College of Commissioners visited Dublin on 10 January, 2013, I raised this issue at a meeting with them and highlighted the importance of Irish agriculture and the beef industry to the Irish economy in light of the current economic crisis and my concerns regarding beef market access and the size and composition of any quotas.

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