Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:102 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the new overseas markets identified for dairy, meat and meat products in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14183/03]
Vol. 567 No. 3
102 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the new overseas markets identified for dairy, meat and meat products in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14183/03]
As regards the dairy sector, Irish dairy products are sold in over 100 countries world-wide with the EU accounting for the majority, 70% to 80%, of these sales. EU enlargement has paved the way for another 106 million consumers to join the single market, thus further increasing the importance of this market for Irish exporters.
The identification of new market opportunities is essentially a matter for the industry. However, my Department maintains close contact with the industry to assist in overcoming potential barriers to trade, forging new trade links, and developing effective international relationships.
In the course of the past year Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Hungary have lifted their bans on the importation of Irish beef. My Department, together with An Bord Bia, continues to make intensive efforts to open other important markets such as the Gulf States, South Africa and Indonesia. In the case of pigmeat, the Japanese and Korean markets were reopened in the past year while attempts to negotiate access to the Chinese and Australian markets are ongoing. The EU is a deficit area for sheepmeat, being a net importer of lamb and consequently exports to non-EU countries do not arise.
103 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total export of dairy, meat and meat products in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14184/03]
Exports of dairy, meat and meat products in each of the past five years were as follows:
Year |
Dairy Products(tonnes) |
Beef and Beef Products(tonnes) |
Pigmeat(tonnes) |
Sheepmeat(tonnes) |
2002 |
562,000 |
445,000 |
113,000 |
41,000 |
2001 |
521,000 |
345,000 |
126,000 |
53,000 |
2000 |
639,000 |
495,000 |
115,000 |
49,000 |
1999 |
583,000 |
554,000 |
119,000 |
55,000 |
1998 |
573,000 |
510,000 |
130,000 |
52,000 |