Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 8

Written Answers. - Beef Exports.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

143 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of countries with which he has initiated negotiations with the objective of expanding Irish beef exports; the result, if any, of these negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19677/97]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the further initiatives, if any, he proposes to take to improve Ireland's opportunities of opening new beef markets in countries that have reduced their imports from this country arising from BSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19680/97]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

147 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proposals, if any, he has to enhance the opportunities for Irish beef exporters to the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19681/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 146 and 147 together.

Irish beef is exported to over 60 markets worldwide. The level of our exports was adversely affected as a result of the fall-off in demand following the BSE crisis. Due to the extremely low incidence of BSE in Ireland and the effectiveness of our controls it was possible, however, to provide the assurances to allow trade continue to most of our international markets. The removal of any BSE related trade restrictions is, of course, a matter to which I accord utmost priority.

I have been in direct contact at ministerial level with the more important markets. I succeeded in concluding a protocol with the Russian authorities providing for the first easing of the restrictions imposed by Russia in November 1996 and I am hopeful that the process of lifting county restrictions will continue when the agreement with Russia comes up for review in January 1998. Qatar recently lifted its ban on Irish beef which means that all our markets in the Gulf are now reopened with the exception of Oman. Following the visit of a technical delegation from my Department to that market, I would hope that it will also follow suit. I recently visited Hungary and succeeded in having the ban on exports of beef to that market removed. Contact with Iran has been renewed with a view to arranging a meeting at veterinary level to discuss the lifting of its prohibition. Considerable progress has, therefore, been made in removing trade restrictions and no effort will be spared until remaining barriers are removed.

In the meantime, the balance in the beef market in the European Union has improved resulting from a combination of a recovery in beef consumption and a decline in beef production. The improved market creates opportunities within the EU and will relieve pressure on third country markets. I will continue to seek that EU policy decisions establish the framework to allow the market develop and, in individual markets, will avail of all appropriate opportunities to emphasise the safety and quality of Irish beef. It is, of course, a matter for the industry, supported by the promotional efforts of An Bord Bia to capitalise on the markets now reemerging.