Lebanon to provide exports boost

IRISH peacekeeping troops in Lebanon have helped to open up a likely new front for food exports to the Middle East.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney revealed at Macra na Feirme’s weekend rally and conference in Little Island, Co Cork, that Ireland is currently interacting with Lebanon on the possibilities.

He said the Lebanese government specifically indicated its interest to Justice Minister Alan Shatter when he visited the country recently.

“They want to open up a trading post for Ireland into the Arab world, through the Lebanon, as part thanks for the peacekeeping work we have done there,” Mr Coveney said.

“There is a massive population of people who can’t grow their own food in the Middle East that we want to tap into, and they have a load of money.”

Mr Coveney also disclosed that the new government in Libya has already been in contact with his department with queries about Irish dairy products.

“I meet delegations almost on a weekly basis from different parts of the world who are willing to learn more about Irish agriculture and who are trying to replicate in their countries what we are doing here.

“But in return for sharing that information, they are willing to open up new markets,” he said.

Mr Coveney said a lot is happening in terms of new markets and trade, with the proof in the export figures.

Last year, food and drink exports were just under €8 billion. This year they will be nearly €9bn.

Questioned about the generation gap in Irish farming, Mr Coveney said it is not good enough that less than 7% of Irish farmers are under the age of 35.

“We have a poor record of encouraging and facilitating the transition from older generations to younger generations in Irish farming,” he said.

Mr Coveney noted that the average field in Ireland is up for sale every 400 years. The average field in France is sold about every 70 years.

“I am totally committed to trying to improve the generation flaw that is there in Irish farming at the moment,” he said.