Vol. 418 No. 4
229 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of the reasons the added value achieved to basic agricultural products in this country is approximately one fifth of that achieved in many mainland European countries; if he will outline the proposals he has to bring about an increase in added value to these products; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am not aware of the basis on which the Deputy has made his comparison or the mainland European countries to which he is referring. Government policy in relation to the food industry has, over the last five years been aimed at switching national thinking towards the marketplace with the emphasis that firms should become market-led.
To give effect to this objective, FEOGA and IDA aid is being allocated to those firms which are prepared to develop, produce and market added value products. It should be noted that for the food sector as a whole, added value as a percentage of gross output has risen substantially since 1977 and I believe that this trend will continue.
