Vol. 501 No. 1
123 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of new beef products introduced to the market in recent years; the extent to which this is a response to market research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5509/99]
124 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of market research undertaken in respect of the beef industry with the objective of identifying consumer needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5468/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together.
The research and development of new products in the beef sector is primarily a matter for the industry itself. Technical research into new products is also carried out by the National Food Centre while research in relation to the market potential of such products, consumer preferences and more general market intelligence is also undertaken on an ongoing basis by An Bord Bia. The results of this are disseminated within the industry and used as a basis for promotion and marketing campaigns.
