The Russian market accounted for approximately 2.5% of total agrifood exports prior to the trade restrictions announced during 2014. Notwithstanding this, the importance of this market in terms of its future potential cannot be understated. The obvious preference is for a normalisation of trade relations but these issues cannot be viewed without taking into account the overall political context. Consequently, I and officials in my Department have been engaged in ongoing efforts to rectify the situation. In October of last year, I met the Russian Ambassador with a view to working bilaterally to resolve some of the technical issues that have disrupted exports of certain agrifood products from Ireland to Russia. Specifically, we discussed ways in which restrictions imposed as a result of audits or animal disease outbreaks in other parts of the EU could be eased.
As a follow up to this meeting, the Irish Ambassador to Russia, accompanied by senior officials from my Department met with their Russian counterparts in Moscow in December of last year. During this meeting it was agreed that bilateral meetings should continue with one being held yesterday.
It is clear that certain sectors of the agrifood industry are disproportionately impacted by the current trade restrictions. For the Irish pigmeat industry Russia was the second largest export destination prior to the ban. My officials have impressed upon the Russians the importance of this market to the pig sector in Ireland.
At EU level the Commission has referred this matter to the WTO for resolution. At recent Council meetings I have joined with other Ministers in requesting the European Commission to continue to monitor the developments on markets called for the introduction of private storage aid. This request did not, however, have the support of a qualified majority of Member States. Nevertheless, the Commission acknowledged the significant decline in pig prices and will keep the situation under review. I am committed, however, to continue to working with liked minded Ministers.
For my part I have undertaken to ensure that as many alternative markets as possible are open to Irish Pigmeat processors. Indeed it is a key element of my strategy to seek new market opportunities. And in that regard I was pleased to announce in recent months the opening of the markets in Vietnam and the Philippines for Irish pigmeat which will serve as valuable alternative markets to Russia for Irish pigmeat exports.
My Department will maintain an ongoing assessment of the situation, and continue to engage at EU level and with the Russian authorities regarding this and all other agri-trade matters.
