Vol. 482 No. 8
66 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the targets set out in the food sub-programme are being met including the specific targets for sales and marketing and for job creation; if a comprehensive appraisal of the performance to date of the sub-programme has been carried out; and the results in this regard. [19427/97]
The general aim of the sub-programme is to maximise the food industry's contribution to national wealth and employment. With that in mind, it seeks to exploit the growth opportunities in the basic foodstuffs, consumer foods and food ingredients areas. While the prescribed targets are ambitious ones, I am happy that satisfactory progress is being made towards their achievement. In the case of employment, it is estimated that, in the period 1994 to 1996, some 7,500 gross jobs were created as against an annual average target of 2,000. At £4.7 billion, the value of overall exports in 1996 remained close to the previous year's level. This apparent lack of progress reflects the decline in beef exports due to BSE problems and masks very substantial increases in the prepared consumer foods and ingredients sectors. The export trends to date in 1997 are encouraging and I am satisfied that significant progress will be made this year towards the attainment of the 1999 targeted figure of £7 billion.
The food sub-programme was subject to a comprehensive appraisal as part of the recent mid-term review of structural funds. That appraisal was based largely on an independent evaluation which confirmed the progress being made towards the attainment of the overall objectives. The relevant decisions taken on foot of the mid-term review process had, of course, also to take account of the priorities identified in the assessment undertaken on the general community support framework. While the main effect of those decisions was the transfer of some £25.5 million in public funds from the capital investment element of the sub-programme, these moneys are being allocated to areas which will benefit the food industry either directly or indirectly.
