Máirín Quill
Question:44 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Marine if he has satisfied himself with the current level of marketing in the sea-fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Fish Marketing.
While the value of fish exports has increased by more than 40 per cent since 1987 and domestic consumption by about 30 per cent over the same period, there are marketing difficulties in the fishing sector generally. Some of these difficulties arise from changing market conditions on our main markets, reflecting high supplies of pelagic species, weakening market demand and increased supplies of white fish from Third Countries. However, difficulties also arise from the fragmented and dispersed nature of the Irish fish processing and marketing sector. Only a relatively few large firms have a strong marketing capability. These structural weaknesses can only be tackled by a longer term programme, which would bring greater scale and improve market organisation generally. These are the medium-term aims of the programme for processing and marketing.
The State, via BIM, does provide assistance for such Irish fish exporters including assistance for: market research and investigation; participation in international trade shows; market visits and inward buyer visits; promotional activities, including in-store promotions and tastings, publicity and promotional material; quality assurance schemes; product testing and development. On the home market initiatives include the BIM schools' seafood cookery competition and participation in national healthy eating week.
However, in the light of growing pressures on the Exchequer, the funds available to support these programmes have been falling in recent years. The whole question of the future funding and organisation of State support, including the question of an appropriate industry contribution, for fish marketing will fall for a thorough review in light of the findings of the forthcoming report of the expert group on the food industry.