Richard Bruton
Question:37 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has to protect employment in the bread and confectionery industry.
Written Answers. - Employment Protection in Confectionery Industry.
In recent years the bread and confectionery sector has been affected by various changes in the marketplace. These include the dominance of multiples and symbol groups in the retail market, which demands cost competitiveness and volume production, the growth of in-store baking, changing trends in consumption and a rise in imports of frozen par-baked and unbaked product to meet the needs of the in-store baking segment.
Forbairt, which is the State agency charged with the implementation of Government policy for the food industry, is currently working with a number of firms in the bakery and confectionery sector. This action is aimed at identifying and addressing market opportunities which will protect employment in the sector.