Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
502. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he remains satisfied regarding the future development and expansion of the beef sector, with particular reference to its ability to compete on world markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7449/18]
View answerThere is currently a strong demand for meat globally including beef. Figures from Bord Bia’s 2017/2018 Export Performance and Prospects show global demand expected to rise by 1.9% this year, with China and east Asia once again being the main drivers of this trend. In addition, EU exports of beef performed strongly for 2017 and Irish exporters also had a good year, with beef exports growing by 5% to reach a value of €2.5 billion, and live exports rising by approximately 30%, giving beef farmers a vital alternative market outlet. These are positive developments for a beef exporter country such as Ireland, which remains the fifth largest net exporter of beef in the world, and should provide ongoing opportunities for the development of the sector domestically and for growth in Irish exports both within the EU and to third countries.
Securing new market access and enhancing existing Irish beef access was a priority for trade missions in 2017 and I will also be leading a further series Government of Ireland agri-food trade missions in 2018, commencing with the US and Canada at the end of this month. Improved beef access to Saudi Arabia was secured during the Trade Mission to the Gulf States in February 2017. In June of last year I led a trade mission to Mexico and the USA; the mission was a welcome opportunity to promote Irish beef in the USA, particularly now that Ireland has access for Beef Intended for Grinding (BIFG). As part of this mission, I also announced Ireland’s intention to apply for beef market access in Mexico. In addition, beef market access was a central focus of the trade mission to Japan and South Korea in November. During this visit I met with South Korean Minister’s to expedite the process of gaining market access. I also had very fruitful discussions with the Japanese authorities about the potential for increasing the age restrictions on beef and this is under consideration at present.
Ireland is also entering the final stages in gaining beef market access to China. A comprehensive audit was carried out in Ireland by the Chinese authorities in August and September of last year and a draft report has recently been published which my Department has responded to. My officials continue to liaise closely with their Chinese counterparts to provide every assurance in relation to the quality and safety of Irish beef.
My Department currently provides a range of supports to the beef sector and the suckler herd. A number of direct payment and grant schemes provide vital income and investment support to the suckler sector, including BPS, ANC, GLAS and TAMS. The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme period. Responding to significant demand, last year I reopened the BDGP programme for new entrants, reflecting the success of this programme, which targets both the environmental footprint and the profitability of the suckler herd through improving the genetic merit in participating herds.
Whilst the Irish beef sector has been challenged by Brexit uncertainty, meeting this challenge is assisted by having in place a long term strategy for agri food sector in Food Wise 2025, which includes actions to enhance the competitiveness of the beef sector at both farmer and processor level.
