Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2015
164. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions that have been held at official and political level with the Russian authorities in relation to the ban on pigmeat exports from Ireland to Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5225/15]
View answer165. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Russia has eased the ban on the import of live pigs and pigmeat products from some member states of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5226/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
Since the introduction of the Russian ban on imports of EU pig products in January 2014, my Department has continually monitored the situation and continues to engage at EU level and with the Russian authorities on how the restrictions imposed could be lifted. This reflects the importance of the market to Ireland given that nearly a quarter of all European pigmeat was exported to Russia before trade was restricted and that in 2013, Ireland exported 20,165 tonnes of pork and pigmeat to Russia with a value €55m. This was up from 15,057 tonnes (€39m) in 2012.
A high-level team from my Department visited Moscow on 18 December last for discussions with the Russian authorities on a range of agri-food matters which included the ban on pig products. This was followed by a second meeting on 10 January. The meetings were organised on foot of bilateral discussions which I had with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ireland. At those meetings the Russian authorities confirmed that they continue to view the ban as an EU-wide issue. Notwithstanding some media reports that certain EU MS are making particular progress on having parts of the ban lifted my understanding is that all MS are still restricted in full by the ban.
At EU level the Commission has referred the matter to the WTO for resolution and the issue has also been on the agenda at the Council of Ministers. At recent Council meetings I have joined with other European Ministers in requesting the European Commission to continue to monitor developments on markets, and have called for the introduction of remedial measures such as private storage aid. The Commission have acknowledged the significant decline in pig prices and will keep the situation under review. They have also committed to actively working with Member States to remove SPS barriers to trade and open new markets, and agreed to provide an additional €30m in funding under the EU Scheme for Promotion of Agricultural Products to support market developments in third country markets.
I am pleased to report that overall Irish pigmeat exports in 2014 increased by 10%, to a value of €570m. Exports to Asia alone are estimated to have risen by 20% to China, 210% to Japan and 650% to South Korea. International trade is expected to improve in 2015, reflecting the ongoing increase in demand in response to growing per capita wealth in China, and the redirection of pigmeat usually directed towards the Russian market to different locations such as South Korea and the Philippines. I am pleased to report also that we have secured major market access successes in the second half of last year including Vietnam and the Philippines which are already proving to be valuable outlets for Irish pigmeat.
I am of course aware of the current price difficulties for Irish pig farmers and have met with farm organisations and with processors on a number of occasions to discuss possible solutions to alleviate these difficulties. I am also continuing in my efforts to secure new third country markets, which has been a priority of mine since assuming office. I will continue to work closely with like-minded Ministers in the EU to persuade the European Commission to come forward with market response measures in response to current price difficulties. In addition my Department will continue to engage with the Russian authorities and with a view to lifting the pigmeat restriction as a priority.
