Skip to main content
Normal View

Beef Exports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2019

Tuesday, 26 March 2019

Questions (963)

Pat Deering

Question:

963. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the beef export markets that demand a 30-month slaughter limit on animals; the effect non-compliance would have for those markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12792/19]

View answer

Written answers

Irish beef exports increased from €2,405 million in 2017 to €2,439 million in 2018. This is according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) trade statistics data with exports to around 70 countries throughout the world.

Beef exports within the EU do not require veterinary health certificates. In this case, any age requirements are a commercial matter between the processor and the purchasing customer.

However, beef exports to non-EU third country markets take place on the basis of bilaterally or EU- agreed veterinary health certificates, or alternatively on general meat certificates.

The following third country markets have veterinary health certificates with a 30-month age limit for Irish beef:

- China

- Japan

- Iran

- Algeria

- Saudi Arabia

- Turkey

- Qatar

- Switzerland (for selected tariff codes)

Egypt and Singapore both have a 30-month age limit on bone-in beef only.

Non-compliance with these conditions could result in the plant concerned being removed from any lists to export to that market or the closure of the market.

Top
Share