Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 December 2016
225. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of Irish beef exports to the United States in monetary value and volume to date in 2016; the total amount of manufacturing beef per this breakdown; the original 2016 targets for this market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39305/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraEight Irish plants are currently approved to export beef to the US and Ireland remains the only EU Member State exporting beef to this market to date. An estimated 1,800 tonnes of beef, valued at €14 million, was exported in 2015. This trade will be surpassed in 2016 because 2,000 tonnes have already been exported so far this year. Sales are expected to increase as the trade becomes more established and trading relationships become bedded down.
This trade is entirely composed of intact cuts for now as plants here are not yet approved to export manufacturing beef. Beef plants that wish to be approved to export manufacturing beef to the US must implement in full the criteria agreed with the US before trade may commence and interested plants are currently working on completing these steps.
