March 19, 2013
Ireland's pig meat gets access to Australian market
Importation of Irish pig meat was approved by the Australian veterinarian authorities, opening up a new market potentially worth an annual €20 million (US$26 million) for suppliers in the Republic of Ireland.
Irish Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney announced that agreement had been reached with the veterinary authorities in Australia, following efforts by his Department, the Irish Embassy in Canberra and Bord BÃa over a number of years including a successful veterinary inspection visit to Ireland by Biosecurity Australia in 2011.
Industry estimates of a €20 million (US$26 million) annual market potential are conservative, according to the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Australia is home to a population of almost 23 million, including two million claiming Irish ancestry, with average annual per capita consumption of 24.5 kilogrammes of pork. In 2012, Australia imported over 149,000 tonnes of pork valued at €400 million (US$519 million).
Welcoming the news as "a sign of the good working relationship which has developed between the two countries", Coveney said Australia has been a target market for the Irish pig meat industry for many years.
With Australia's food control systems held in high esteem globally, approval for Irish pig meat imports reflected Australian authorities' trust and confidence in Ireland's food safety systems.
"I am firmly of the view that it is vital that Irish companies have access to as many markets worldwide as possible and my Department and I will continue to work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Bord BÃa to this end," said Coveney.
