Martin Ferris
Ceist:26. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his visit to China and the potential for Irish beef exports there. [43015/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 12 November 2014
Ceisteanna (26)
Freagraí scríofa
I am very pleased to advise the Deputy that in relation to beef, there was a significant breakthrough achieved last week, following my political meetings with my Chinese counterparts including the Minister for Agriculture and the Minister responsible for market access, when I secured a firm commitment from the Chinese Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQSIQ) to carry out a formal inspection visit in Ireland in early December.
This breakthrough reflected the intensive engagement and the level of effort which we have put into advancing this issue, both at a technical and political level over the last few years. Our comprehensive input to the joint Ireland-China BSE working group last December has undoubtedly also helped to convince the Chinese of the seriousness of our intent. Securing the agreement of AQSIQ is a major breakthrough as it marks us out as the first EU Member State to have advanced to this stage. We have been very keen to emphasise to the Chinese side the transparency with which we operate our food safety controls and the upcoming inspection visit is our opportunity to showcase these controls in operation and demonstrate why Irish beef is a trusted and reliable product in discerning third country markets around the world. My Department has already begun an intensive engagement with the Chinese authorities and with Irish industry on the planning for this inspection visit.
Securing access to China will be major boost to the Irish beef industry and complements the other market access successes we have had in the last 12 months including Japan, the Philippines and the Lebanon. We are also making significant progress with the US and Canada to secure access there where I am hopeful Irish beef will be available on supermarket shelves and in restaurants very soon.