Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will explain the potential in the speciality food sector following her statement on 11 May 2006; and the way in which the Government can be of assistance to the speciality food sector which wants Ireland declared a genetically modified organism free island with regard to seed, crop and food generally. [18752/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The regional and speciality food sector is worth approximately €475 million in Ireland and is growing at an annual rate of 10%. This expanding sector accounts for over 300 small food enterprises, distributed throughout the country, and producing a diverse range of products including farmhouse dairy, meat, fish, horticulture, confectionery, bakery and prepared foods.

International research indicates that the speciality food and drink sector will be worth around €97 billion in Europe and the USA by 2009. According to the Boston Consulting Group, the luxury food market is growing at a rate of 15% annually. Recent research conducted by Teagasc, in conjunction with Bord Bia, shows that issues of taste, variety, authenticity, provenance, and indulgence are driving demand in this market.

In Ireland, the speciality food market is also influenced by a number of socioeconomic factors such as increased affluence, growing ethnic diversity of our population and the proliferation of food and cookery items in the media. Food Tourism is also gaining momentum internationally and providing alternative marketing opportunities for speciality foods.

I am committed to supporting and further developing this sector in Ireland. I was particularly pleased to open "Bord Bia's 3rd International Speciality Food Forum" in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham last week. This event aimed to support and enhance speciality food sales by bringing together 85 food producers from Ireland, north and south, with 150 buyers from Ireland, the UK, France and Germany. It is expected to result in additional sales of approximately €3 million in the next 18 months and the establishment of important long term trading links.

Bord Bia, which operates under the aegis of my Department, is establishing a 'Centre of Excellence' focused on servicing the market development related needs of small, regional and speciality food producers. My Department and Bord Bia are also organising a series of regional food events aimed at facilitating greater interaction between all of the stakeholders in the speciality and regional food sector, particularly producers and support agencies.

There are now over 100 farmers markets operating throughout the country at present, providing an important route to market for speciality food producers. Bord Bia is working closely with State and local agencies to exploit the growing opportunities presented by these markets for local, regional and speciality food producers. In addition to providing a range of support services for farmers markets including advice and mentoring assistance, Bord Bia has also published a comprehensive information guide on the running and operation of these markets.

Earlier this year, the Bord Bia/OPW farmer's markets programme for 2006 was launched. This is a new and significant extension of the very successful 'Food at Farmleigh' programme, with five regional Heritage sites selected for one-day Food Market events. The programme will take place in Cork, Wexford, Kildare, Donegal and Laois and result in considerable exposure for speciality food producers.

As regards the cultivation of GM crops, EU legislation adopted by the European Parliament and the Council and which is binding on all Member States, specifically prohibits the unilateral declaration of a GM free country. However, there is a safeguard clause where if a Member State has detailed grounds, on the basis of scientific evidence that a GMO constitutes a risk to human health or the environment, then that Member State may provisionally restrict or prohibit the growing of that GM crop in its territory or in any region of its territory. The Commission must then be immediately informed and it will decide within sixty days if the ban is scientifically based. There is also the possibility for producers to voluntarily decide not to cultivate GMO's in a region.