Michael Ring
Question:31 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has to extend the marketing remit of Bord Iascaigh Mhara to cater for the eastern European and Chinese markets. [16763/00]
Other Questions. - Fish Marketing.
BIM and seafood exporters have been actively pursuing seafood market opportunities in eastern Europe and China in recent years. They are very different markets requiring specific strategies and work in both is continuing with a view to maximising opportunities for the Irish sector.
I have asked BIM and the Department as a priority to review and enhance seafood marketing strategies and capability. Seafood exports are now worth around £250 million per annum. We need to position the sector to capitalise further on the buoyant international seafood market for quality value added fish products. Fundamental changes are ongoing in the seafood market at trade, retail, catering and consumer level. These changes, with changes in fish supply, will determine the direction of Irish seafood processing and marketing in the next decade.
The current consultancy review of the fish processing sector will inform strategies for its future development. The new marketing strategy which will be developed in light of this review will be critical to success. I have asked for a full assessment of seafood market opportunities and challenges at home and abroad. This will inform strategies to secure the highest sustainable added value and returns at all points in the chain. The necessary funding support for seafood marketing has been secured under the national development plan.
I have recently clarified and agreed with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the respective roles of BIM and Bord Bia in relation to seafood exports and marketing. Under the agreed strategic relationship BIM retains the specialist marketing focus as the integrated development agency for the seafood sector. Bord Bia will have an ongoing role in terms of incorporating seafood into food promotion and trade activities overseas working with BIM. BIM will continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland whose overseas work in eastern Europe, the Far East and elsewhere provides important contacts and services.
I compliment the Minister on reappointing Mr. Pat Ridge, a man of great vision, as chairman of BIM. I am also delighted that he has clarified the respective roles of Bord Bia and BIM to ensure maximum market exposure for our fish products. I wish him well in that direction. Is he satisfied, therefore, to await the report on the marketing thrust of BIM? Fol lowing his visit to China the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Woods, was very excited about the seafood market opportunities. To what degree have we been successful in exporting to that market and those of eastern Europe?
I am aware of the progress made following the visit of Deputy Woods to China in 1997. I agree that there is potential to increase our exports to China, which remain small, and the Far East generally. An assessment of these markets is being made in co-operation with the small number of Irish companies involved. On the wider issue, I am delighted to have reappointed Mr. Pat Ridge who was appointed by the Government of which the Deputy's party was part. It shows that there can be unanimity on both sides of the political fence.
I respect that.
I agree with the Deputy that he is an excellent chairman and a man of great vision who is dedicated to the industry. There is a new marketing manager in BIM in which a much stronger marketing department is being put in place. Action is, therefore, being taken.
It is required.
It is not only large companies which are involved in fish processing. There are a number of small units along the coastline, including in my constituency and that of the Minister. Does he agree it is difficult for small fish processing units with a small number of employees to establish markets in China and eastern Europe? Will Bord Iascaigh Mhara assist small companies, from a practical and a financial point of view, in making a contribution to these export markets?
I am disappointed with the Minister's reply on exploring the Chinese market. There is a huge market for our aquaculture and mariculture industries in South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and other far eastern states. As recently as an hour ago I spoke to a Polish delegation visiting this country. They are also very keen on the possibility of opening what is a huge market for our aquaculture and mariculture products. The Minister should not keep all his eggs in the one basket. A high powered delegation which visited China a couple of years ago returned with a fanfare of announcements. I thought that, in consequence, we would have access to a huge market there, but I am disappointed to note this is not the case.
There are great opportunities everywhere.
The Minister will have to return to China.
It is a question of exploiting them. The French market is our biggest market. I have looked at the statistics for exports to the French market. It is only a fraction of what goes into France. We send out in bulk some very fine shellfish product.
Bantry Bay mussels.
The French often put it into the water, take it out, break bulk it and sell it on as French product at a considerable price increase. That is ludicrous, especially as it is a market on our doorstep. We have a lot of work to do on the marketing side.
The Deputy is correct with regard to the processing side. The processing industry is small and disparate. It needs to be fundamentally restructured. Only with that and with the creation of Irish seafood brands and a proper marketing arm to service those small companies, which we hope will network and cluster much more than in the past – the Marine Institute has been involved in studies in that respect – will we see the industry reach anything like its true potential. After a number of months in the job I can say it is an industry that has probably the greatest potential in terms of growth and development. Under the national development plan we are driving ahead to achieve that.
I will keep the Minister to his word.
By all means.