asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry the efforts which have been made to identify new market opportunities for Irish fish and fish products; and if he has any proposals to intensify market research and product development to enable new domestic and overseas markets to be exploited.
Written Answers. - Fish Market Development Programme.
122.
Mr. Coughlan
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara in association with the fishing industry is engaged in a comprehensive programme of market research and investigation work aimed at identifying new market opportunities for Irish fish and fish products including farmed fish. Market research work abroad has been intensified in recent years in the development of new markets in Europe and America for Irish fish products. In 1985 the Government provided BIM with an additional sum of £480,000 over and above its normal expenditure levels for marketing development and exploratory fishing combined. Of this £350,000 was allocated to expanding BIM's development service to the industry in the exploitation of both home and export markets. A total of £618,000 has been provided in 1986 to BIM for its market development programme.