Jimmy Deenihan
Question:35 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the Government have any plans to substitute our £854 million food import bill with local produce; and, if so, if he will outline his proposals in this regard.
Written Answers. - Strategy for Food Industry.
It is an accepted fact that much of the food imported cannot be produced here for climatic and other reasons. The Government strategy for the food industry places special emphasis on encouraging domestic alternatives to imports where these can be produced on a competitive, economic basis.
In the horticultural sector for example, An Bord Glas's "Programme for the Development of Horticulture" is aimed at developing the potential of the horticulture industry. The targets for that industry are a combined domestic market share recovery and export expansion of £60 million during the five years of the programme up to 1993.