My Department, working in conjunction with the promotion and development agencies, and with industry through the structures established under the Agri-Vision 2015 Plan of Action, and most recently the Food Industry Research Sub-Group, has promoted marketing and research strategies to develop new products and new food markets.
At market level, there are emerging opportunities in Continental EU and Asian markets for food and drink exports as well as opportunities to build on established markets. In relation to beef progress continues in developing EU markets and improved access to third country markets has been secured, most recently in Saudi Arabia.
Funding to the food industry for in-company research and technology transfer is administered by Enterprise Ireland. My Department works closely with Enterprise Ireland to ensure that all aspects of food research, from applied to commercial, are facilitated and has supported initiatives by Enterprise Ireland to encourage greater involvement by the food industry in food research and development. Assistance is particularly focused on developing company's management, innovation and marketing capabilities. A number of company clusters in innovation and world class manufacturing are currently in existence, whose objective is to keep abreast with developments in these areas, facilitated by Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, BIM and Údaras na Gaeltachta. Research to provide a base of information and expertise in generic technologies is funded under my Department's FIRM programme to support innovation and product development in the food industry.