Vol. 440 No. 6
66 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the action, if any, he intends to take to improve market penetration by Irish agri-food products of mainland EU markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Further penetration of mainland European Union markets by the Irish agri-food industry will depend on the ability of the industry itself to build on the success which it has already achieved and to become even more competitive and innovative. The industry's efforts in this regard will be supported by substantial national and European Union aid to be provided under a special sub-programme in the new round of Structural Funds and by the establishment of a new food promotion and market development agency. Both of these measures will come into operation later this year and I am confident that they will contribute significantly to the future development of the industry.
