Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:50 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans for the future of the poultry industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9235/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 24 March 2004
Ceisteanna (50)
Freagraí scríofa
The Irish poultry industry is an extremely important element within our domestic agri-food sector. It is worth €150 million to producers and is an important contributor to economic and social development, particularly in certain areas. Overall, it is my policy that this industry should develop to its full potential and be in a position to meet the demands of today's consumers and withstand the very strong competition from abroad.
The most recent strategic evaluation of the poultry industry is set out in the report of the agri-food 2010 committee. It is clear from this exercise that a significant issue facing the sector is its poor competitive position. The committee recommended a significant reduction in the number of poultry slaughter plants and a reduction in capacity of about 20%. Rationalisation of this nature is very much a matter for the industry itself but it is important that the industry position itself so that the current levels of producer incomes, employment and market share are maintained in the years ahead. The poultry sector will of course be included in the deliberations of the agri-vision 2015 committee which I established recently and I look forward to receiving their views in this regard.
Much of my Department's involvement with the poultry industry is in the area of ensuring food safety. Consumer confidence in the product is a fundamental requirement for any industry. To this end, my Department will continue to maintain an intensive food safety supervisory programme at processing plants. Also, the salmonella monitoring programme, which is operated at producer level, and involves extensive official sampling and testing by officials of my Department will continue to enhance poultry safety. Consumer confidence is also very much linked to appropriate labelling. It is my view that consumers have a right to full knowledge about the product they are buying and, therefore, over the past month or so, I have introduced legislation requiring country of origin to be indicated at the point of sale in the case of loose poultry. It is my intention to extend these measures to provide for full information to be supplied in respect of all poultry sales.
A chicken quality assurance scheme is due to be launched shortly. This has involved considerable effort on the part of Bord Bia working in conjunction with the poultry industry. The scheme's quality mark is viewed by consumers as a guarantee of quality and I am confident that the market position of our poultry will be enhanced as a result. My Department has assisted the development of this scheme and will be involved on an ongoing basis in its operation as well as in the continuation of the very successful egg quality assurance scheme.