Vol. 422 No. 5
48 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline his Department's assessment of the reasons for the decline in the value and volume of our meat exports in 1991, as highlighted in the annual report of CBF; if he will give his assessment of the prospects for the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The CBF Annual Review and Outlook for 1991, which was published in January 1992, estimates that beef exports fell marginally and I presume that it is to this report that the Deputy is referring. However, actual figures for beef exports published in the CBF Trade Report in May 1992, show that beef exports in volume terms rose by 9 per cent in 1991 to 405,300 tonnes in carcase weight equivalent and by 2 per cent in value terms.
In general the market situation in the beef sector remains difficult due to continued difficulties on international markets and indeed exports outside the Community in 1991 were almost 4 per cent lower than in 1990. However exports to the United Kingdom and continental markets have shown increases of 5 per cent and 17 per cent respectively. This is a welcome demonstration of the continued success of Irish exporters in finding market outlets for our beef.
Actual sheepmeat exports rose by 5,268 tonnes valued at about £16.5 million — an increase of about 10 per cent.
The volume of pigmeat exports rose by 18,000 tonnes or 28 per cent while their value increased by about £30 million or 29 per cent.
The outlook for 1992 in beef is more positive. Exports should increase over 1991 levels because of a continuing recovery in UK consumption and better prospects for trade with the Middle East and North Africa. Following recent exports of beef to Libya the authorities there have informed us that Irish traders are free to put in bids for the supply of Irish cattle. This would, indeed, instill confidence in producers.
