Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2019
499. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which alternative markets for beef, lamb, pig and poultry meat continue to be available, or alternative if necessary in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42242/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUncertainty surounding the UK's future trading relationship with the EU reinforces the need for the widest possible access to international markets for Irish food and drink products, including meat exports. Available data testifies to greater diversification in export outlets for the agri-food sector generally. The value of food and drink exports has increased substantially over the last number of years, to reach €13.6 billion in 2018, with much of this growth coming from markets outside Europe. The challenge now for meat industry stakeholders is to build on this positive trend.
Developing new markets and growing existing markets on the basis of market insights – is one of the five themes of Food Wise 2025, a ten-year strategy for the Irish agri-food sector. Market development and diversification is also a key response to mitigate the exposure of the Irish meat industry to Brexit.
In April 2017, I launched a seven-point action plan on market access. This plan is being implemented through a variety of actions, including:
- A market prioritisation exercise and subsequent detailed studies carried out by Bord Bia on behalf of my Department. The countries selected for a detailed examination with regard to meat were Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Mexico and Malaysia;
- A market access web portal was launched in May 2018 and is available on the Department’s website. It provides much valuable information on potential market opportunities for exporters: http://www.marketaccess.agriculture.gov.ie/
- An enhanced programme of Ministerial agri-food trade missions, in cooperation with Bord Bia and other State agencies.
These missions feature high level political meetings as well as promotion opportunities for Irish meat which serve to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in those destinations.
Recent trade missions have focused on key growth markets such as:
- Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia;
- North America: USA, Mexico and Canada;
- The Gulf States and Turkey.
Since April 2017, agreement has been secured for the export of Irish meat to several new third country (non-EU) markets, including:
- Beef (frozen boneless under 30 months) to China;
- Sheepmeat to Japan;
- Beef & Pork to Ukraine;
- Beef, Sheepmeat & Poultrymeat to Kuwait and Qatar.
Furthermore, during this period, enhanced meat access was agreed with Japan, Israel, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
The role of my Department is to open and broaden market access for Irish meat. It is up to industry, with the support of my Department and Bord Bia, to exploit the opportunities created as trading conditions permit. Since the UK referendum result in 2016, I have allocated significant additional funding to Bord Bia to enable it to develop new markets and enhance existing ones.
