Ms Eileen Bentley:

Our presentation this morning has focused on the bespoke set of supports for organic producers that are delivered under the organic marketing plan. In the interests of time, I have not outlined all of the other supports that are available to organic and conventional producers alike as part of Bord Bia’s annual activity. These supports include supplier development programmes, such as our food academy and Tesco Taste Bud, and export programmes in retail and food service in the UK and continental markets. Many organic companies have undertaken extensive consumer and brand development work through Bord Bia’s SuperBrands and foresight for food services, and others are exploring new routes to market via our digital food hub with Google.

Last March, approximately 20 organic companies participated at Marketplace International in the National Convention Centre, the largest buyer-supplier showcase for the food sector staged in Ireland, with over 180 participating companies and more than 500 buyers that will generate more than €30 million of new sales for participants this year.

It is the view of Bord Bia that the potential for continued growth of organic exists and that organic plays an important role for consumers at home and abroad. Through the collective efforts of all elements of the organic sector to overcome the challenges of supply, we hope Irish organic producers can make the most of this potential. I thank the committee.