Vol. 519 No. 4
37 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his plans, if any, for the marketing of agricultural produce in the future in view of the need to maintain Ireland's position in the marketplace, both within the EU and in non EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13796/00]
My Department, in conjunction with An Bord Bia and An Bord Glas, will continue to endeavour to exploit all opportunities for Irish agricultural produce in both EU and international markets.
Specific provision has been made in the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for an allocation of some £48 million to facilitate An Bord Bia in achieving its overall objective of increasing sales of Irish food and drink. Following on the report of the Food Industry Development Group, which highlighted the need for continuing attention to competitiveness and market orientation, and an internal strategic review of the work of An Bord Bia, the organisation will continue to develop its role and functions while focusing on activities in a number of key areas, namely, upgrading its information service to provide and disseminate leading edge information and analysis for the food industry; increasing the emphasis on developing the marketing capabilities of food companies; and assisting companies in targeting new markets and new market segments.
An Bord Glas is responsible for the promotion and marketing of food horticultural produce on the home market and for non-food horticultural produce on the domestic and export markets. An Bord Glas in its Development Plan for 2000 – 2006 forecast that horticultural production will increase from £260 million to £300 million over the period. Exports of nursery stock in the same period are expected to grow from £8 million to £16 million. The board's activities to achieve this growth include an integrated promotion and marketing campaign geared towards maintaining and developing the position of Irish horticultural produce in the market place.
