Sheepmeat access next on Department's agenda for China

The Department of Agriculture hopes to be in a position to renew negotiations on sheepmeat access to the Chinese market now that access for beef has been achieved, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said.

Speaking in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil’s Charlie McConalogue, Minister Creed said a detailed questionnaire in relation to access for sheepmeat was submitted to the relevant Chinese authorities in 2014.

“However, AQSIQ [the Chinese department responsible for food safety] policy meant that the Chinese authorities would only consider market access for one species at a time.

“Now that the process for beef market access is coming to a close, my Department hopes to be in a position to renew negotiations towards sheepmeat market access,” he said.

Consumption

Sheepmeat consumption is on the rise in China and it remains the world’s largest importer of the product.

Imports increased in 2017 on the back of increased domestic demand, which Bord Bia has said is driving volume and price.

Currently, New Zealand and Australia are the largest exporters of sheepmeat to China, accounting for approximately 95% of imports.

Game-changer

Speaking at the hill sheep conference earlier this year, John Walsh of Irish Country Meats said access to the Chinese market for Irish sheepmeat could be a game-changer in underpinning further growth in sheepmeat exports.

However, he did say that in order for this to happen, the sector must conform to the clean livestock policy and implement full electronic tagging to boost traceability.

Speaking in tandem on access to both the US and Chinese markets, he said: “The US and Chinese markets demand greater traceability with EID central to achieving this goal.

“The US has a zero-tolerance stance on carcase contamination and any shortfall in this regard is a black mark straight away.

“The US market provides huge opportunities for high-value cuts, while the Chinese market would be very beneficial in underpinning demand for lower-value cuts, giving more balance to sales. We must keep working towards gaining access,” he said.

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