Vol. 510 No. 2
104 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the efforts, if any, he makes to establish markets for export of venison; the way in which quality venison is marketed abroad; the volume of venison exports for each of the past five years; the markets to which it was exported; the tagging system of traceability which exists in order to ensure quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22116/99]
106 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the farmed deer population; the number of deer farmers registered; the quality controls which exist to determine standards; the way in which his Department oversees the methods employed in deer farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22118/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 106 together.
Bord Bia, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion of food, has included venison in its promotional campaigns in recent years. Assistance is provided by Bord Bia by way of support for processors involved in the venison industry through their marketing assistance programme. Venison companies also have access to Bord Bia operated programmes for speciality food companies. During 1997 Bord Bia commissioned a research study on the European market for venison. It has also had continued contact with the Venison Industry Board and is currently examining ways in which it can further assist in the development of the industry.
In 1997 I also sanctioned an award of substantial grant aid, £80,000, under the INTERREG programme, involving both Exchequer and EU funds, to enable one segment of the venison industry develop a business and market strategy.
The farmed deer population is estimated to be just under 31,000. There are no requirements by my Department for the registration of deer farmers, for the tagging of deer or for setting standards of deer husbandary other than welfare regulations which cover all farmed animals. The quality controls are those which have been put in place by producer organisations who are now taking steps to put a voluntary scheme of quality assurance in place.
|
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
|
|
Total |
|||||
|
of which to: |
29 |
30 |
130 |
101 |
38 |
|
Germany |
24 |
26 |
51 |
21 |
1 |
|
Denmark |
– |
1 |
45 |
71 |
37 |
|
Lebanon |
0.5 |
– |
|||
|
Great Britain |
5 |
– |
16 |
6 |
0 |
|
France |
– |
2 |
18 |
4 |
0 |
