January 15, 2009

Japanese officials have confirmed that its market is fully open for Irish pork products, said Agriculture minister Brendan Smith on Tuesday (Jan 13).

Following the discovery of dioxin in Irish pork in December, Japanese agriculture sought clarifications from its Irish counterpart about the quality of Irish pork.

The Japanese market was never formally closed to Irish pork, but after reassurances from the Irish government, the Japanese ministry clarified that the market is open.

Smith said the Japanese pork market depended on imports for at least half of the produce which reaches the shelves.

He said there would be a concerted new drive by his department and by Bord Bia to increase the market share of Irish pork and that Ireland should work towards building up a substantial share.

He did not rule out a doubling of exports to Japan in the longer term. He said that Japan was a market that demanded high standards of quality and safety, which Irish suppliers are in a position to meet.

He added that he will also meet the Japanese agriculture minister to make a case for the country lifting what is effectively a ban on Irish beef.

Beef from the EU is not available in Japan because of the risk of contamination by BSE, or mad-cow disease.