AQW 55082/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 02/03/2016
Answered On Date: 10/03/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what additional red meat export markets her Department is exploring.

Answer:

I am pleased that there are already a significant number of export markets open for our red meat. Most recently I welcomed the opening of the Canadian beef market which I know was valued by our industry and exports have already commenced.

Going forward I hope 2016 will see us opening even more priority red meat markets. My officials are working closely with our industry to prepare for inspections this year from the Philippines on beef and United States of America on beef and lamb as part of the process to agree terms to trade with these markets.

China remains a top priority for beef. We have made good progress in our negotiations with China and a second workshop to discuss our controls on TSE is planned for 2016. This is an important stage in what will be a lengthy negotiation process.

My officials also continue to work closely with our industry to identify any other red meat markets that represent a priority for them and through this engagement determine how government and industry can best work together to take forward negotiations.