Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2017
213. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the completion date for the review of export markets in which conditions of certification present barriers to trade and additional costs for exporters. [22560/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland exports food and drink to around 180 countries all over the world and Irish food and drink exports increased by 2% in 2016 to reach €11.15 billion. One of the Department’s main priorities now, particularly in the context of Brexit, is to further increase the market opportunity for Irish food and drink internationally, especially for the meat and dairy sectors. Indeed this principle of market development is already a key component of Food Wise 2025. We have achieved significant successes in recent years in conjunction with the various stakeholders to increase the number of markets to which we enjoy access.
While a major and high profile part of the work involves getting new markets opened; maintaining access to existing markets and improving and enhancing the level of access to previously opened markets and changing the current veterinary health certificate conditions is also of paramount importance.
For example in terms of beef market access, 2016 saw the extension of our beef market access to the USA to include Beef Intended for Grinding (BIFG), exports of which have now commenced. And 2017 has seen the extension of our beef market access to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to include a range of minced and processed beef products, as part of my Trade Mission there. Some technical steps remain to be taken here before exports will commence.
However, despite the significant successes achieved to date, I reviewed the Department's approach to market access at present and one of the findings was that there should be a review of export markets which are open but where there are barriers to trade. For example in relation to beef some of these barriers or costs could include the requirements for BSE testing on cattle, only cattle aged under 30 months being accepted or conditions that the meat be boneless only. Certificates and conditions with different Third countries have evolved at different times and some of these restrictions may be related to historical issues.
This review is now complete and my Department now consulting with industry to identify priorities. I should say of course that the conditions for importing beef are a matter for the competent authorities in the importing country. I would envisage that this work will continue on an ongoing basis as needs arise.
