Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
1130. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the states to which Irish beef product is exported that stipulate a requirement for the 30-month rule; the dates from which this stipulation has been made in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1088/21]
View answerBeef exports to non-EU third country markets take place on the basis of bilaterally or EU-agreed veterinary health certificates (VHCs) or, alternatively, on general meat certificates.
Eight VHCs provide for full or partial 30-month age restrictions for Irish beef as required by the importing country at the time that the certificate was agreed. The third country markets concerned and the scope of the rule are listed below:
- China;
- Iran;
- Saudi Arabia;
- Turkey;
- Qatar;
- Switzerland;
- Egypt (applicable to bone-in beef); and
- Singapore (applicable to bone-in beef).
My Department works continuously on expanding market access for Irish meat and meat products across a range of markets. Where there are stringent technical requirements attached to the export of meat to a third country, my Department seeks to continue negotiations with such countries to remove or reduce the impact of the requirement.
For example, in May 2019, the 30 month restriction for Irish beef to Japan was lifted. This was the culmination of a significant programme of work over an 18 month time period.
A Market Access portal on my Department’s website gives further details on the markets open and their technical requirements. In addition, the Market Access Report 2019-2020 published on my Department’s website lists new markets opened and access expanded within that period.
