asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he will take steps to overcome the present relative scarcity of commercially viable propositions in the food industry, and encourage the necessary research and enterpreneurship, thereby giving scope to the venture fund established in 1984 to invest in projects in the food industry.
Written Answers. - Food Industry.
564.
The Government is committed to encouraging the full exploitation of the country's natural resources and, in particular, the food processing industry.
Substantial resources have been devoted to encouraging research and entrepreneurship in the food industry. In 1984 alone, the Industrial Development Authority, as agent of the Government, approved 100 feasibility grants towards studies investigating the potential of various products in the food processing sector. The Authority has, in addition, approved 80 research and development grants in 1984 to encourage the development of new products and processes in the industry.
The IDA have carried out a number of detailed studies into the most efficient method of utilising our resources. These studies include "A Strategy for the Development of the Agricultural Processing Industry in Ireland" published in June 1982 and "Consumer Foods: Ideas for Development" which was published in January 1984. These reports indicate that the food processing industry should concentrate on a move to the production of higher value-added goods, the raising of hygiene and technical standards, maximise the potential for import substitution and call for a more committed approach to both market and product development.
Implementation of Government policy is achieved through the provision of assistance by the State agencies. The IDA, in 1984, supported 115 new investment projects. These projects, large and small, have committed the IDA to the extent of £20 million. In addition, as indicated in the White Paper on Industrial Policy, the Shannon Free Airport Development Company has been assigned the specific role of conducting a pilot project on the development of the food processing sector. SFADCo is to develop and test initiatives and programmes which, if successful, would be applied on a national basis.