Support for the food industry has been given effect mainly through the food sub-programme which covered the period from 1994 to 1999 The main aim was to improve the competitiveness of our food industry on both home and export markets. That this strategy has been successful is underlined by the fact that the output of the industry has increased by £2.2 billion of which over £1 billion worth was sold on the home market. This suggests that Irish food companies are being provided with and are availing of opportunities to retain and to improve their position on both domestic and export markets.
The future success of the food industry will, I believe, be underpinned by the specific food-related initiatives set out in the National Development Plan 2000-2006. These initiatives which provide for an overall public funding allocation of £282 million will focus on strategies to further improve competitiveness and market orientation. I am confident that it will enable the industry to build on the success engendered under the food sub-programme, thereby enabling it to meet the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.