Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 1

Written Answers. - Poultry Production.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

320 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the steps, if any, he has taken to increase the production of poultry meat in this country and to develop the poultry industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24375/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The capital investment grant arrangements for the poultry meat sector are set out in the Food Programme 1994-99.

I set up a poultry industry forum in January 1995 to assist in the implementation of a development strategy for the poultry processing sector. The forum report was submitted to me earlier this year. On the basis of that report Forbairt has been actively seeking development plans from companies that will meet the agreed development objectives for the industry. A number of proposals have already been received and others are expected to be submitted in the coming months. I am not, at this stage, in a position to specifically publicly identify those firms which have forwarded proposals.

Poultry slaughterings at EU approved plants have increased from 60 million in 1994 to 62.5 million in 1995 and to 65 million approximately this year.