Major efforts to expand markets for Irish food abroad – Deputy Humphreys

Fine Gael TD for Cavan –Monaghan Heather Humphreys has commended the ongoing efforts of the Minister for Agriculture in his attempts to open new markets for Irish food abroad.

Speaking on the subject, Deputy Humphreys said “I recently raised this matter with Minister Simon Coveney in the Dail and I asked the Minister to confirm what initiatives he is undertaking at present to ensure that there is a wide range of outlets available for our high quality agricultural produce.

“The Minister has confirmed to me that he and his Department are engaging with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to securing access to more foreign markets.

“With regard to the meat industry, agreements were reached in 2011 with the authorities in Turkey, Egypt and Singapore which will allow for the export of beef. The Department has also been in consultation with delegations from the Philippines with regard to beef access and with Australia, China and Korea with regard to pork access. I believe it is absolutely vital that we continue our efforts to gain access for Irish meats to these rapidly growing markets and I welcome the progress that has been made to date.

“There are also ongoing discussions at EU level with the Russian Federation and it is hoped that this will allow for the export of sheepmeat in the future. Further to this the Minister has stated that the Department has been pressing at EU level for an adjustment in the US TSE rule which would permit Irish and EU beef and sheepmeat to be exported to the US.

“It is clear that there is a strong demand for meat globally and it is vital that Irish exporters are able to take full advantage of the opportunities that arise.

“In relation to the Dairy sector, Ireland already has access to dairy markets worldwide however Minister Coveney has confirmed that he is working with the industry to raise the profile of the Irish dairy sector, and indeed the Irish agri food sector generally in emerging markets. In this respect, the Minister recently visited Algeria to open a new Irish Dairy Board Office and Packing Centre and I am confident that the continuing work in this area will ultimately pay dividends for the dairy and other sectors.

“Despite the current economic climate, the agriculture sector continues to perform strongly. I believe it is vital that the Government does all within its power to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to allow Irish producers to take advantage of rising global demands. Irish meat and dairy produce are of the absolute highest quality and I fully support the major efforts that are being made by the Minister to open up further foreign markets for Irish producers and I will continue to keep this matter to the fore in the future,” concluded Deputy Humphreys.

Fine Gael TD for Cavan –Monaghan Heather Humphreys has commended the ongoing efforts of the Minister for Agriculture in his attempts to open new markets for Irish food abroad.

Speaking on the subject, Deputy Humphreys said “I recently raised this matter with Minister Simon Coveney in the Dail and I asked the Minister to confirm what initiatives he is undertaking at present to ensure that there is a wide range of outlets available for our high quality agricultural produce.

“The Minister has confirmed to me that he and his Department are engaging with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to securing access to more foreign markets.

“With regard to the meat industry, agreements were reached in 2011 with the authorities in Turkey, Egypt and Singapore which will allow for the export of beef. The Department has also been in consultation with delegations from the Philippines with regard to beef access and with Australia, China and Korea with regard to pork access. I believe it is absolutely vital that we continue our efforts to gain access for Irish meats to these rapidly growing markets and I welcome the progress that has been made to date.

“There are also ongoing discussions at EU level with the Russian Federation and it is hoped that this will allow for the export of sheepmeat in the future. Further to this the Minister has stated that the Department has been pressing at EU level for an adjustment in the US TSE rule which would permit Irish and EU beef and sheepmeat to be exported to the US.

“It is clear that there is a strong demand for meat globally and it is vital that Irish exporters are able to take full advantage of the opportunities that arise.

“In relation to the Dairy sector, Ireland already has access to dairy markets worldwide however Minister Coveney has confirmed that he is working with the industry to raise the profile of the Irish dairy sector, and indeed the Irish agri food sector generally in emerging markets. In this respect, the Minister recently visited Algeria to open a new Irish Dairy Board Office and Packing Centre and I am confident that the continuing work in this area will ultimately pay dividends for the dairy and other sectors.

“Despite the current economic climate, the agriculture sector continues to perform strongly. I believe it is vital that the Government does all within its power to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to allow Irish producers to take advantage of rising global demands. Irish meat and dairy produce are of the absolute highest quality and I fully support the major efforts that are being made by the Minister to open up further foreign markets for Irish producers and I will continue to keep this matter to the fore in the future,” concluded Deputy Humphreys.