Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
884. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding spent by Bord Bia on the promotion of Irish beef in each of the past five years; the specific funding spent on the promotion of suckler beef in each corresponding year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25111/20]
View answerBord Bia is the State Body charged with promotion and marketing of Irish food, drink and horticulture products. A total Grant sum is allocated annually to Bord Bia by my Department. For 2020, the total grant in aid is €48.2 million. The final sums allocated in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were €33.2m, €41.1m, €41.3m and €46.6m respectively. The grant allocation to Bord Bia has increased since 2016, as part of my Department's response to the challenges posed for the Irish agri-food sector by the UK's decision to exit the EU.
The specific query raised by the Deputy is an operational one for Bord Bia, and the Deputy may wish to contact them directly for details of specific funding campaigns. However, I am aware that Bord Bia has submitted an application to the EU for a 3 year co-funded promotional campaign for suckler beef with a value of €3.2m. This programme targets Germany and Italy as destination markets. This campaign is presently under competitive consideration by the EU Commission and, if successful, would commence in 2021.
