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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 6

Written Answers. - Meat Exports.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

73 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans, if any, he has to capitalise on the high quality of beef, lamb and pig meat products with a view to achieving a greater market share on world markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5021/00]

The development of export markets for Irish food products is primarily the responsibility of the food industry working in conjunction with my Department and Bord Bia. The meat industry exports to a wide range of markets worldwide. It is my objective to ensure that all these markets remain open to Irish meat exports and that all available market outlets are fully exploited.

While the Irish share of the EU market for beef has fallen since 1995 because of the renationalisation of the EU market in the aftermath of the 1996 BSE scare, considerable progress has been made in regaining these markets. Irish beef exports performed strongly on continental EU markets in 1999 when exports to France increased by 14%, to Italy by 33% and to other EU destinations by 36%. Nevertheless, it remains one of the major priorities for the beef industry to recover and consolidate its presence on EU markets. In that context, I have visited Italy, France and the Netherlands in recent weeks specifically to promote the consumption of Irish beef in those markets.

In the case of lamb, while there have been some moves towards renationalisation of certain markets, especially in France and Spain, Irish exports of lamb nevertheless increased by almost 6% in the past year. Bord Bia is continuing to seek new markets for lamb and is involved in lamb promotion campaigns in France and Scandinavia. A good market for Irish lamb is expected in the Mediterranean region in 2000.

Since 1996, Irish exports of pigmeat have increased by 35% to 135,000 tonnes and, despite the difficult market conditions, there was an 8% increase in sales last year. Exports to the UK are expected to strengthen during the year, sales to continental Europe are forecast to increase gradually during 2000 and the prospects for further increased exports to Japan this year are positive.
The national development plan will provide financial support for capital investment in the food sector. Part of this support will focus on added value products and in particular on the high value, prepared consumer foods. This support is designed to encourage the processing industry to develop high quality value added products and improve its competitiveness on the EU market.
My Department, in conjunction with Bord Bia, will continue to endeavour to exploit opportunities in both the EU and international markets. Nevertheless, in the final analysis, it is a matter for the meat industry to capitalise on the high quality of Irish meat and I am satisfied that the State services provided to the industry through Bord Bia will help the industry to achieve this objective.
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