Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
385. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which new markets for beef, lamb, pigmeat or poultry or products thereof continue to be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23097/16]
View answerIrish agrifood exports have increased from less than €8 billion in 2010 to an estimated €10.8 billion in 2015. 2015 was also a very successful year for meat exports. According to Bord Bia, overall exports of beef, sheepmeat, pigmeat and poultry increased by €140 million to more than €3.5 billion. The target in Food Wise 2025 is to increase the overall value of agrifood exports by 85% to €19 billion by 2025.
My Department works very closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Bord Bia, the industry and the European Commission on a wide range of market access issues. The Department continually monitors trade statistics produced by Bord Bia and the CSO, in order to analyse the destination of exports and, together with industry, to identify new market opportunities. Third Country markets are an increasingly important alternative outlet for the industry. The development of new and alternative markets, given the changing global demographics and emerging economies in Asia and elsewhere, is a crucial component of the Food Wise 2025 Strategy. As an exporting country, accessing new markets is crucial to the long-term sustainability of our agri sector.
In the medium and long term global demographics will result in strong global demand for meat products and my role as Minister is to facilitate market access so that Irish exporters can take advantage of business opportunities as they arise. Taken together these factors provide a great opportunity for increasing the exports of high quality, safe and sustainably produced Irish meat.
In recent weeks a notable success included the decision of the US authorities to extend their approval for Irish beef to include manufacturing beef/beef intended for grinding (BIFG). This marks the culmination of over a year of intensive work between my Department and its US counterparts on a range of technical matters. I was also very pleased that the US is now proposing to change the regulations which restricted the importation of sheepmeat from the European Union due to TSE. This announcement is a critical first step and my Department is already working to complete specific veterinary technical documentation demanded by the US so that Irish sheepmeat will be well placed to take advantage of this latest development.
I am acutely aware of the need to develop as many market outlets as possible for Irish beef, lamb, pig meat and poultry products. I will continue to work with stakeholders to raise the profile of the Irish agri-food sector generally, in emerging markets in the Far East, North Africa, the Gulf States and elsewhere. In this context I intend to lead a Trade Mission to China, Vietnam and Singapore in September to further promote Irish food and drink in the region. My Department has also re-configured its network of agricultural attachés abroad, with an enhanced role in relation to agrifood trade and Bord Bia is also presently expanding its network of offices abroad, with a focus on new and emerging markets. This will also enhance our identification of new markets abroad.
