Vol. 412 No. 6
82 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that the present organisational structure for the promotion of our agri-food products in foreign markets is adequate; and if he has any plans to revise the present arrangements.
I am concerned that the structures and practices involved in the promotion of our agricultural products abroad should be such as to maximise the advantages we possess while observing EC requirements in the matter.
The agriculture and food policy review group within my Department, which reported to me at the end of last year, while not recommending any immediate change in the organisational structure of promotion, noted that "there is a strong case for existing State agencies dealing with food to make greater mutual use of each others' facilities abroad".
The whole question of ensuring that our food export promotion arrangements are exercised in the most economical and beneficial way possible is currently under further study in my Department.
