Tony Killeen
Question:10 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the action, if any, that is proposed to off-set the predicted 12 per cent reduction in the value of food exports in 1996. [13363/96]
Written Answers. - Food Exports.
An Bord Bia has statutory responsibility for promoting, assisting and developing the marketing of Irish food and livestock. The board published its market development strategy in May 1995 which sets out its key objectives, and sets specific export growth targets for each major sector of the food industry for the period 1995-99. While acknowledging that there may be a decline in the overall level of food exports this year due to global circumstances, I remain confident that the programmes in place will ensure that the target of increasing food exports to £7 billion by 1999 will be achieved.