Olivia Mitchell
Question:80 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will report on the recent visit of the Minister of State to Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13915/03]
Vol. 567 No. 3
80 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will report on the recent visit of the Minister of State to Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13915/03]
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Treacy, led a delegation of Irish food companies and research institutions involved in the development of the Irish functional foods sector to Japan recently. The purpose of the visit was to develop closer linkages between the growing Irish functional food sector and that of Japan, a country with acknowledged expertise and experience in the field and regarded as a world leader in this sector.
The visit was organised by Enterprise Ireland and formed a key part of the Government's strategy to develop the functional foods sector in Ireland. Further development of products which fall into this category are an essential part of the move towards greater value added food production in this country and the visit exposed some of the leading Irish companies to the potential offered in this area. The Irish delegation met with many of the leading Japanese dairy and functional foods companies and Government bodies, as well as visiting a number of research institutes.