Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the targets which are planned in future for fruit and vegetables in view of the fact that sales have increased for the year ending May 2004 with a 7% increase on the previous year. [1939/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The changing environment in which the horticulture industry operates creates important challenges and opportunities which need to be carefully considered and addressed in order to maximise the potential of the sector. There is a range of issues critical to the expansion of the sector and among the most important are market opportunities, the competitiveness of the sector, consolidation of the supply chain and changing lifestyles. Ongoing investment at producer and pre-packer level is also necessary to upgrade production, packing and storage facilities to ensure that product reaches the retail outlet in prime condition.

Over the years Bord Glas worked to ensure that the full productive and value added potential of the industry is maximised. This work is continuing under Bord Bia and is complemented by support available from my Department through the capital investment and marketing and processing schemes under the national development plan. The future growth of the horticulture industry depends on all involved in the sector working together with the overall aim of matching supply with demand. Targets set for development have been more than met in the past and I am confident that this trend will continue into the future.