Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

The national task force on obesity has not produced a report either in final or draft form. The World Health Organisation has described obesity as a worldwide epidemic, and estimates that up to 250 million people, about 7% of the adult population, may have an obesity problem. In Ireland figures point to a two thirds increase in the prevalence of obesity among adults. Particularly worrying is the emergence of obesity in children.

The main cause of obesity appears to be an imbalance between energy intake and physical activity. As with other public health problems, societal and lifestyle changes are contributory factors. Sedentary lifestyles, longer commuting times and time pressures are some factors in reducing the average level of physical activity. Food and eating occasions are readily available and convenience has favoured the regular consumption of fast food and prepared foods. There is, however, some demand for a range of healthy convenience options and the orientation of the Common Agricultural Policy away from production subsidies will make the agrifood sector more responsive to market changes and opportunities.

My Department, while not directly represented on the task force, made a comprehensive submission. The submission set out in detail the Department's mission and the role and responsibilities that it undertakes to lead the sustainable development of a competitive, consumer focused agrifood sector and to contribute to a vibrant rural economy and society. Key among our priorities are food safety and quality, market development and ensuring compliance with the EU and national requirements in this area. The national development plan provides for research grants to companies and for public good research into food safety, new and innovative products, advanced technologies and consumer foods.

The task force subsequently asked for comments on three draft recommendations that it was considering. One raised issues to do with transport and planning, which fall outside the remit of my Department. The second proposed that my Department support and encourage farmers to sell their healthy produce to local disadvantaged communities at affordable prices. This implies a de facto price subsidy that is not permissible under EU state aid rules.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

The third draft recommendation was that my Department should support the implementation of evidence-based healthy eating interventions. I support this approach. My Department has been to the forefront in research and the public good food institutional research measure has financed a number of dietary and nutritional surveys, including the second SLÁN survey, which previewed the national task force on obesity.

I am not aware that the task force intends to recommend that my Department discriminate in favour of local producers but any such recommendation would have to be considered very carefully in light of state aid rules. Any code of conduct for the food industry that goes beyond the regulatory requirements would be a matter for the industry itself.

Bord Bia has been effective in promoting the nutritional benefits of a balanced diet and of increased consumption of horticultural products. Its market information, advice and promotion services for the food industry draw on analyses of changing consumer demand and lifestyle trends in different population segments. Bord Bia has a proposal under consideration for EU and national funding for an extended pilot "Food Dudes" programme targeted at primary school children over the next three years. The programme encourages children aged four to 11 to taste a variety of fruit and vegetables. Research has shown that this programme is very effective in encouraging children to form a lifelong habit of eating fruit and vegetables. Development of good eating habits is one means of combating obesity.

I await with great interest the outcome of the work of the task force on obesity.

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