Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
983. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has actively sought new outlets for beef rather than live animals, in relation to live exports outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12039/24]
View answerDeveloping and diversifying markets and market segments is identified as a priority in our shared strategy for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector, Food Vision 2030. 2023 was another successful year for beef exports, totalling over €3 billion in value and 478 thousand tonnes.
Ireland has access to all EU markets and a range of non EU or third country markets. My Department has invested considerable efforts, particularly since the Brexit vote in 2016, in achieving, maintaining, improving, and restoring access to third country markets, including for beef. That process can be detailed and painstaking but we must recognise that the importing country sets the requirements, sets the pace of negotiations, and ultimately makes the decisions in terms of granting market access.
My Department works in partnership with industry and Bord Bia to identify market access priorities. There has been significant activity in relation to priority third country markets for beef, with recent examples being:
- The resumption of beef access to China in January 2024.
- The progress of beef access through the Korean parliament following key meetings during the whole of government trade mission in 2023.
- A successful audit for beef access to Thailand leading to current negotiations on export certification.
An intensified programme of ministerial trade missions to promote Irish food and drink in EU and third country markets is an essential component of the market diversification strategy and has been going continuously since 2017. In 2023, there were third country trade missions to China, Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines, with further missions planned to the USA, China, and a number of South East Asian markets for 2024.
While my Department’s role is to open up international markets in consultation with stakeholders, it is for industry - with the support of my officials and Bord Bia’s marketing expertise - to develop the potential opportunities available to it in those markets. The time frame for reaping the benefits is always a commercial decision for export enterprises.
