122. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any analysis has been carried out to date on potential new markets for agrifood produce, exports of which to the US currently amount to almost €2 billion per annum, should tariffs be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25705/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

Has any analysis been carried out to date on potential new markets for agrifood produce, exports of which to the US currently amount to almost €2 billion per annum, should tariffs be introduced? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter in the context of his visit to the US?

Sentiment score: 0.01

I thank the Minister. I will make sure to bring back to Kildare word that its two Fine Gael Deputies are among the hardest working TDs in the country. I had the good fortune of being able to nip back to Leixlip and Kilcock for events earlier this evening. I am slightly closer to Leinster House than the Minister, so I am lucky in that regard. I will make a couple of comments on the great potential associated with trading partners such as India and China. What discussions have we had with emerging nations? Have we shone an extra light in their way? In the context of expanding our base internally to make up for circumstances, today I was lucky enough to go to a food trail event in north Kildare. When focusing on Kildare, I was thinking about the micro-economic and micro-business sides working together with the agricultural side. Is there an opportunity to work with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on both agriculture and business to try to put a new face on farming?

Sentiment score: 0.32

In the context of Kildare and given that the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, is seated beside the Minister, we should remember Kerry Group is one of Kildare’s major employers and exporters. We are fortunate the company is based in Naas and is a key employer in our county. What discussions has the Minister been able to have with such businesses? What mitigating measures can we put in place ahead of tariffs and what discussions can we have? No more than we have Intel in the north of County Kildare producing semiconductors, we also have a huge food industry. Considering this from that perspective, is there the level of work we can do to mitigate any tariffs that may come in the future, to allay any potential fears and to offer assistance in looking for new and additional markets to help bridge any gap we may find from any tariffs?

Sentiment score: 0.07