Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 September 2020
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he foresees marketing to play an even more significant part in the sale of Irish lamb, beef, pig meat, dairy and poultry products at home and abroad having particular regard to challenges arising from world trade or Brexit development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24410/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector as set out in Food Wise 2025, and is of particular relevance given the need to diversify our markets and to reduce our exposure to the UK market in the light of Brexit.
Over the last number of Budgets increased funding has been provided to Bord Bia in order to strengthen its understanding of consumer priorities and preferences in Ireland and in distant markets, and to communicate those insights to Irish food companies for use in product promotion, development, branding and marketing.
Trade missions also play a key role in market and trade advancement. In recent years, successful visits have taken place to Turkey, China, Japan, South Korea, Algeria and Egypt, among others. Increased market access has been achieved with these visits, including through the abolition of the age restriction on beef exports to Japan, through additional beef plant approvals for export to China and through the progression of beef access in South Korea. My Department, supported by Bord Bia, intends to hold virtual trade missions later this year, with Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia being considered. Destinations are selected strategically and in keeping with the Bord Bia market prioritisation exercise of December 2017.
The Government's focus on, and commitment to, new market development has been illustrated by its appointment of my colleague, Martin Heydon T.D., as Minister of State with specific responsibility for this task. In addition, my Department's international trade activities are being reorganised and further developed, as we deal with the twin challenges of Brexit and the Covid 19 pandemic.
More generally, my Department will continue to seek out and identify new markets, and I am of course ready to respond as appropriate to any opportunities that may arise.
