John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will comment on her initiative to promote local and regional food economies. [12202/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am firmly of the view that there is great potential for development of local and regional food economies, which is why I have established a regional food fora initiative involving my Department, An Bord Bia and the other food development agencies. The first forum was held in Donegal in late 2005 on the theme "Market Focus for small food enterprises". Speakers shared experiences on regional food development with food enterprises from Counties Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim. State agencies and service providers were on hand to assist producers and food enterprises interested in growing their business and food products from the north west were showcased to highlight the importance of food to the region's economy. I also launched the North West Food and Drink Trade Directory, a timely guide and reference source for small food business in the north west.

It is planned to hold the next food forum in the north east in June and as with the earlier event cross-Border attendance will be welcomed. This will offer small food entrepreneurs good opportunities to showcase products, build business linkages and obtain advice on what development agencies have to offer. By working closely with farmers, small food producers and local agencies we can successfully promote food enterprise and innovation to develop unique products reflecting the strengths of each region.

In order to promote regional produce at a wider level Bord Bia together with Invest Northern Ireland will host an International Speciality Food Forum on 11 May at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin on the theme 'Regional and Local Foods — An Opportunity for Growth'. The objective of the event is to support and develop sales of Irish small business and speciality food companies on the core markets of Ireland and the UK. Up to 80 Irish speciality and premium food and drink producers will showcase their products to around 150 trade buyers attending from Ireland and the UK. This will represent the largest showcase of speciality Irish food and drink companies under one roof in 2006 and will provide a valuable framework for networking with innovative regional and local companies.

Varied routes to market are central to the development of small food businesses and the record growth of farmers markets is testament to this. Building on the outstanding success of the Farmleigh Food Market, Bord Bia and the Office of Public Works have drawn up a programme of one-day seasonal food markets on five OPW heritage sites with the objectives of enhancing public awareness of heritage sites and of fostering closer ties with the local farming, business and community interests. The heritage sites selected are: Fota House and Gardens, Cork — February; JFK Arboretum, Wexford — May; Castletown House, Kildare — July; Newmills, Letterkenny — Donegal, September; Emo Court, Laois — December.

During 2006 Bord Bia will undertake research on the opportunities for Irish speciality and local foods in Great Britain, in particular the motives of speciality food consumers, to assist and orient small food companies interested in that market. Bord Bia will also undertake research into the authentic ingredients which form part of Ireland's food tradition and which could raise awareness of local and regional foods and so assist producers with production diversification.

The output of the Irish artisan and speciality food sectors grew 10% in 2005 to reach €475 million. This strong performance demonstrates the opportunities that exist for the right products. There are further growth prospects for these sectors nationally and in the United Kingdom where the market is forecast to reach €7.5 billion over three years making the initiative to promote local and regional food economies very timely.