Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2004
31 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans he has to encourage supermarkets and other food retailers to establish national targets for the use of local produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9171/04]
View answerThe rules governing the Single Market preclude national authorities from compelling retailers giving preference to domestic product, a rule that has operated in our favour as a food exporting nation. Some 80% of Irish food production is exported. The key to market access is producing what the market demands in terms of quality, convenience, price and product specification within the overriding need to remain competitive.
A key strategy for me is to ensure that agriculture and the food industry contribute to the maximum extent possible to the continued economic and social development of this country and to the maintenance of the physical environment. Central to this is improving competitiveness and innovative capability which will enable the sector to compete successfully in an increasingly competitive and fast moving environment. Under the national development plan significant funding has and is being made available for capital investment, research, technology and innovation, marketing and promotion and human resources.
I am confident that the strategies we have put in place will enable the industry to secure that vital shelf space on the domestic market. I will continue to encourage retailers to source product on the domestic market by taking every opportunity to extol the quality and safety of Irish product.
