Vol. 501 No. 1
131 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent of research and development undertaken in respect of breeding, production, sales, marketing and promotions in respect of the pigmeat industry; the number of new lines on sale in this regard; if these are as a result of market research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5485/99]
Teagasc is the primary public agency involved in research in relation to the pig sector in so far as breeding and production is concerned. The universities also play an important role in agri-food research including pig research. Research in relation to marketing and promotion is carried out by An Bord Bia as part of its function in the promotion of food. The results of research by these organisations is widely disseminated within the industry.
Within the private sector, research and development is carried out by the industry itself both on the input side as well as in the area of processing and marketing of pigmeat products. The development and bringing to the market of new products is a matter for the industry. Under the Food Sub-Programme, which is part of the Operational Programme for Industry, 1994-9, significant funding has been provided for the development of new and value-added products in the pigmeat sector.
