Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019
214. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on recent comments by the UK Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. George Eustice (details supplied); and if he has contacted his counterparts in the UK Government since these comments were made. [2287/19]
View answerThe reported comments by George Eustice MP are somewhat speculative in nature, and I would point out by way of counter-argument that, according to the UK National Beef Association, the UK is about 75% self-sufficient in beef. In addition, Bord Bia’s recently published Export Performance and Prospects 2018/2019 report, it states that exports of beef to the UK, continued to increase, increasing by 4% in 2018.
In any event, retention of the UK market for the Irish beef and other sectors is a key component of the Government's response to Brexit. For example, the range of support measures that I have introduced over the last three budgets has been particularly aimed at cost reduction so that our producers can maintain their competitiveness to the maximum possible extent. In addition, I have met with the chief executives of all of the major British retailers to impress upon them the commitment of Irish suppliers in continuing to supply the UK market post-Brexit.
It is also important to point out that the additional funding that I have provided to Bord Bia since the UK referendum - a total of €19.5 million - is being used, among other things, to provide direct support and advice to individual companies in the context of its Brexit Barometer initiative, including in relation to how they can maintain customer relationships, and deal with supply chain and logistics challenges.
More generally, the pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports, including beef exports, is an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming years. Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Gulf region. This is where our efforts will be focused for the foreseeable future, particularly given the need to diversify our markets and to reduce our reliance on traditional destinations such as the UK.
