Vol. 376 No. 10
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the development plan for the food industry, which was promised in the Programme for National Recovery will be published; if he will indicate its main proposals or areas of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
28.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when he intends to publish the development plan for the food industry as was promised in the Programme for National Recovery; and if he will make a statement on the progress of the plan.
53.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the employment potential as set out in his expansion plans for the food industry which he announced some time ago, is on target at present; and, with particular reference to the food industry, the exact number of extra jobs available as a result of the expansion plan.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 28 and 53 together.
A five year strategy for the food and drink industry was published last week by the IDA. The plan, which was drawn up in consultation with my Department, examines the industry on a sectoral basis, identifies its various strengths and weaknesses and sets out policy options aimed at the creation of a modern and competitive food industry. State investment in the future will be reserved for specific development strategies by companies which are market-led and which have the required management skills and marketing expertise.
The plan aims to create 5,000 new jobs in food processing by 1992 and to increase exports by over £350 million. These job opportunities are in line with those identified by the Government in the Programme for National Recovery.
While the detailed implementation of the strategy will be essentially a matter for the IDA, my Department will be working closely with that organisation to ensure that a co-ordinated approach to the development of the food sector is followed.
