Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
46. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts his Department has taken to diversify the location for Ireland’s food exports to EU markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51331/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDespite the recent challenges presented by COVID-19 and Brexit, I am encouraged by the fact that Irish agri-food exports to EU Member States have held up well when compared to previous years, and they exceeded €4 billion in 2020.
I believe this positive performance is a result, in part, of the commitment of the Government to providing substantial additional funding to Bord Bia in recent Budgets.
Bord Bia is continuing to use this funding to provide assistance to companies who are establishing and expanding their presence in EU markets. I strongly believe that this direct engagement with Irish companies prepares them to realise the opportunities in high-value EU markets, particularly when coupled with Bord Bia's extensive marketing and promotional activities in these markets.
The Deputy will also be aware that my Department has a network of agriculture attache's assigned to Irish Embassies around the world, including in Paris, Berlin and Rome. As well as complementing the promotional work of Bord Bia these resources bring the Department’s technical, policy and strategic expertise to resolving regulatory and political issues which arise.
Another key component of the Government's strategy to develop and diversify markets is high level Ministerial Trade Missions. Despite the challenges presented by Covid-19 Minister Heydon and myself have led a number of virtual trade missions and key customer meetings over the last year, including in France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
As public health travel restrictions are lifting, I and Minister Heydon are making arrangements for in-person engagement in these markets over the coming months. I can assure the Deputy that we will be taking every opportunity to further develop these markets for our top quality food and drink.
