Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2004
67 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention was drawn to the huge impact of a large volume of EU regulations on small speciality and artisan food producers; if she will engage with this sector and alleviate its difficulties in view of its value to the economy; and her plans to promote and develop speciality and artisan foods. [24494/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe package of measures to revise and consolidate Community legislation on food hygiene adopted by the EU earlier this year is due to come into force on 1 January 2006. It provides for the registration of all food businesses and for a risk based approach to inspections.
The regulations will provide some flexibility for food businesses operating in remote areas, for traditional methods of food production and for direct supply in certain cases, subject to the safety of food being guaranteed. The role of the FSAI and of local authorities, who are primary regulatory bodies for the sector, will be central in this process. An FSAI forum for dialogue between the State agencies and the speciality sector is also being developed. My Department is participating in the process.
Bord Bia, as part of its statutory remit for the promotion and market development of Irish food and drink, is working in partnership with the speciality and artisan sector to secure routes to market. A number of promotions are held each year to promote the sector. For example, Bord Bia facilitated the current promotion of Irish speciality and artisan food in Selfridges in London, Birmingham and Manchester. It was the biggest food event in Selfridges this year.
In October 2003 a traditional artisan and speciality trade expertise council was established. Its aim is to address the strategic issues facing the sector and to devise and drive pragmatic solutions for the benefit of Ireland's food and drink industry. The council is facilitated, co-ordinated and administered by Bord Bia. Recently the council launched its master plan and aims to guide the development of the Irish speciality sector. It is estimated that small food businesses with which Bord Bia has worked have increased their turnover by at least 36% since 1996.
