Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019
444. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken by his Department and Bord Bia to seek out new niche markets for Irish grass-produced beef and lamb in view of the lack of stability and uncertainty in the market due to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17581/19]
View answerMy officials continue to work towards opening and enhancing access to as many markets as possible. This is a key part of our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit, and is in line with the market development theme of the Food Wise 2025 strategy and the 7 Point Action Plan on market access that I launched in April 2017.
The opening of the Chinese beef market to Irish beef in 2018 was a notable success, following several years of effort. My officials are currently in the process of trying to get additional beef establishments approved by the Chinese authorities and to progress our sheepmeat application to China. These will be the subject of discussions on my Trade Mission to China next month. During 2018, markets for Irish beef, sheepmeat and poultry were also opened in Kuwait and Qatar. I also recently announced the opening of the Ukrainian market to Irish beef and pigmeat.
My Department requested Bord Bia to undertake an exercise to identify priority markets which can be targeted for promotion, markets access applications and trade missions. This exercise provides an invaluable tool for Irish exporters and for the Department and its agencies in determining the strategic priorities for agri-food trade. In relation to meat, the 5 priority markets identified were Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Mexico and Malaysia. Significant market access work is underway in relation to each of these markets at present and, in this regard, I will lead a trade mission to Japan & South Korea in June.
The long-term fundamentals of global meat markets are strong, with growing global demand projected from fast developing countries with increasing middle classes and more westernised diets. There is confidence that the Irish food industry is well placed to gain from the opportunity presented by expanding global demand, underpinned by the success of our efforts and those of the Irish food industry.
Specifically in relation to "Grass-fed", Bord Bia and Teagasc are undertaking exploration of the development of “Grass-fed” standards in the dairy sector, with the potential to extend to other livestock types.
