Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
850. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of provisions to ensure that Irish food exports have ready access to European markets post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42059/20]
View answerDeveloping increased non-UK market access and furthering trade opportunities abroad continue to be integral parts of my Department’s response to the challenges posed by Brexit.
My Department has been very active in this regard. Encouragingly, exports to our more traditional and existing markets such as other EU Member States exceeded €4 billion in 2019, for the third year running. Notably strong growth was evident in pigmeat, poultry and dairy exports to the EU, with export values increasing to the Netherlands, Italy and Spain in particular.
On the more practical and immediate issue of transiting the UK in order to continue to access markets, firstly I recognise that the UK landbridge is of huge importance in accessing the EU Single Market, and that we may see severe delays in its operation after the end of the transition period. However, goods moving directly between Ireland and elsewhere in the EU will not be subject to any new procedures.
I would therefore urge traders currently using the UK landbridge to consider direct sailings as an alternative. Ferry operators have indicated that capacity is available on direct routes as is evidenced by the recent announcement of a new service with daily sailings from Rosslare to Dunkirk. This is also the view of the Department of Transport and the Irish Marine Development Office. I would encourage early engagement between all parties - traders, hauliers and the ferry companies - to discuss their needs and options.
