Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 May 2018
181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which Irish beef, lamb, poultry and pigmeat are well placed to compete in EU and non-EU markets having particular regard to the impact of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23949/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrexit has the potential to have a significant impact across all areas of the Irish agri food sector, including the beef, lamb, poultry and pigmeat sectors. These sectors are of critical importance to the Irish economy. Their regional spread means they underpin the socio-economic development of rural Ireland. Farming is an essential part of the social, cultural and economic fabric of the country and it is also part of a wider EU dispensation that values a Common Agriculture Policy built on family farming, food security, high standards of food safety and environmental sustainability. These are values that we hold dear, and so it is critically important when we consider the impact of Brexit that the positive contribution of agriculture to the rural and national economy, and to society in Ireland - and, indeed, elsewhere in the European Union - is to the forefront in our deliberations.
Market diversification is a key component of the Government response to the challenges posed by Brexit, as we seek to reduce our exposure to the UK market and develop alternative markets for our exports. The pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade.
Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, including in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region. This is something that I have been following up in a very practical way by leading Trade Missions to these destinations. For example, I have just returned from a Trade Mission to China and Hong Kong where I continued to develop the trade and political relationships that have been given a very significant boost recently through the opening of the Chinese market to beef exports from Ireland. I had very good and productive meetings with a number of Ministers, including my counterpart, the Chinese Minister for Agriculture, as well as supporting the Irish presence at SIAL Shanghai, which is now the largest food fair in the world.
This follows on from successful trade missions to Canada and the USA last February, Japan and Korea in November 2017, the USA and Mexico in June 2017, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in February/March 2017. I will also, as part of the ongoing effort to reduce our exposure to the UK market, lead further trade missions in 2018 in order to promote Irish food and drink in key markets.
It is also worth pointing out that the identification of Trade Mission destinations is in keeping with the recent market prioritisation exercise that was completed by Bord Bia, at my request. This exercise identified opportunities in new and more mature markets, and will provide valuable market intelligence both for industry operators and policy makers as we seek to deal with the impacts of Brexit.
My Department will continue to seek out and help to develop new markets, and I am ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.
