Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider facilitating the setting up of a Poultry Council in response to the recent request for a meeting to look at options for setting up such a council; and if he will ensure adequate representation of all sectors but in particular primary producers, and a time frame for any actions in this regard. [56274/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I met with the IFA Pig and Poultry Committee recently and a Poultry Council was one of a number of matters discussed. I agree that a collaborative approach between farmers and processors, where possible and appropriate, is likely to serve the best interests of the poultry sector.

Of course such an initiative would require consensus among the main players on the objectives from the outset. As an initial step, and without prejudice to the outcome, I have invited a group representative of both farmers and processors to submit proposals and to make a joint presentation on this matter to the Food Harvest 2020 High Level Working Group, which I chair.