Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 6

Written Answers. - Food Fairs.

David Stanton

Ceist:

171 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the European food fairs in which he or a Minister of State or officials from his Department took part in each year in the past three years; the date and location of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23486/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The following are the dates and locations of food fairs – 21 in all – over the past three years in which I or a Minister of State at my Department, normally accompanied by an official of the Department, supported Bord Bia in exercise of its statutory role of promoting, assisting and developing the marketing of Irish food and drink. I or one of my Ministers of State also officiated at seven local food fairs over the same period.

Date	Location
10/13 Oct. 97	Anuga Food Fair, Cologne
03/05 Nov. 97	Food Ingredients Exhibition, London
21 April 98	IFEX 98, Dublin
18 October 98	SIAL, Paris
06/08 May 98	CIBUS Food Fair, Parma
02/04 Nov. 98	Food Ingredients Exhibition, Frankfurt
22 Jan. 99	Berlin Green Week
07 Feb. 99	International Food Exhibition, London
13-16 April 99	Food Expo Cairo
21 April 1999	IFEX '99, Belfast
02/06 May 99	WSWA Drinks Fair, New Orleans
14-16 Sept. 99	Food Ingredients Europe, Paris
18/19 Sept. 99	Fine Food Fair, London
1-9 October 1999	Teheran International Fair
08/12 Oct. 99	Anuga, Cologne
29/31 Oct. 99	Worldwide Food Exhibition, Chicago
12/14 Jan. 00	Berlin Green Week
14-17 April 00	Food Expo Cairo
03/05 May 00	CIBUS, Parma
12 June 00	IFEX, Dublin
08/12 July 00	Fancy Food Fair New York

The past three years have been particularly successful in terms of exports of food and drink, with export earnings in 1999 valued in excess of £5.2 billion. This success is attributable in no small way to the marketing strategies of Bord Bia in pursuit of its overall objective to increase the sales of Irish food and drink. An important aspect of these activities is attendance at trade events, fairs and exhibitions aimed at identifying and developing new market opportunities in an increasingly competitive environment. I recognise the importance of these events as a platform for increasing the profile and enhancing the image of Irish food and drink products. Ministerial attendance at these events is particularly useful in conveying the high regard that we in Ireland have for our valuable food industry.