Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on the food forum in the north east which took place on 12 June 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24590/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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This forum entitled "Market Focus for Small Food Enterprises" was the second in a series of regional food fora organised by my Department and An Bord Bia to promote regional and local food production. This was geared towards small food producers and would-be food producers in Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath. The event comprised an address by Minister of State with responsibility for food, Brendan Smith, a panel of speakers who shared their experiences and insights, opportunities for food producers to network with development agencies and a showcase of products from the region.

Presentations were made by John Mc Kenna, author of the Bridgestone Guides, and by Muiris Kennedy, Bord Bia's Marketing and Services Director, on the market opportunities that exist for speciality food products. Another feature of the event was the launch of the North East Food & Drink Directory — a comprehensive food directory which Bord Bia had compiled and which gives details of food producers in the region as well as development agencies at local and national level.

The forum was attended by some 70 food producers from the four counties. Bord Bia is currently evaluating the impact through questionnaires issued to attendees and the early indications are that it was very favourably received and useful.