Vol. 534 No. 5
94 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the proposals he has to work in co-operation with Northern Ireland agri-authorities to develop and promote joint initiatives to provide Ireland with a world class reputation as an agri and food producing island that can stand up to any international criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11107/01]
Agriculture is one of the six areas identified for co-operation under the Good Friday Agreement. With the aim of achieving enhanced co-operation, the North-South Ministerial Council, NSMC, has met in its agriculture sectoral format on three occasions to date. The following issues of mutual interest were discussed at those meetings: co-operation on animal health policy-operations, animal and plant health research and development, joint study of the pig industry, cross-Border rural development; less favoured area, LFA, payments, World Trade Organisation and the Common Agricultural Policy.
The issue taking priority over all others at present, both North and South, is the control of foot and mouth disease. In that regard, at the most recent agriculture meeting of the NSMC, I met with Minister Rodgers to review the situation in relation to this issue. It was decided that officials of the two Departments would develop a strategy for the control of animal movements on the island of Ireland, drawing on work done in both jurisdictions and, in the light of experience gained from the current foot and mouth disease outbreaks, consider the means of prevention, containment and eradication of future epizootic disease outbreaks on the island.
As regards the food industry, the "Ireland – The Food Island" logo was introduced by Bord Bia in 1995. It was designed to develop the concept of there being an underlying unity of values in the Irish food industry and is part of Bord Bia's marketing communications strategy. It is used as an overall branding device to promote the capability and values of the Irish food and drink industry and to differentiate Ireland and its food and drink products in the marketplace. As was the case in 2000, Bord Bia is coming together with IDB, Industrial Development Board, and LEDU, Local Enterprise Development Unit, in Northern Ireland to run a market development programme for Irish food in 2001. The North-South activities taking place this year are a US market visit in June with 20 companies involved; a joint North-South stand at the New York Fancy Food Fair in July; and ongoing exchange of market information between IDB and Bord Bia.
The value of enhanced co-operation in relation to the agriculture and food sectors to both parts of the island of Ireland is widely recognised. I intend to further develop these links at every opportunity and especially through the forthcoming meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council.
