Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she has taken to ensure that funding announced in Commissioner Byrne's 2003 speech (details supplied) to help small food producers meet EU standards and to adapt to the introduction of higher standards regarding the environment, public health, animal health and animal welfare has been properly exploited here; if she will provide this Deputy with copies of reports prepared or submitted to the European Commission in relation to Ireland's take-up of EU funding specifically intended by the European Commission to help small food producers meet such higher standards; the steps she has taken to advertise to small food producers here the existence of funding made available by the European Commission to Member States to ensure that small food producers are made aware that EU funding is available to small food producers to assist them in meeting such higher standards; and the amount of such funding drawn down by Ireland specifically for the benefit of small food producers under the EU regulation meeting standards measure introduced under the 2003 CAP Reform. [3753/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In the context of the 2000-2006 EU rural development framework, amendments introduced in 2003 extended possible support options. The additional options included support for food companies and farmers in respect of compliance with EU standards. The 2003 amendments did not, however, provide additional funding.

While funding later arose through the modulation process, support for small food companies was excluded. I decided to target the modulated funds at farmers in the disadvantaged areas. That decision took account of the relative priorities, the outcome of a well-publicised consultative process and the then limitations on the use of modulated funds.

The support options related to EU standards were carried forward to the 2007-2013 EU rural development framework. In the case of food companies, however, the relevant option is now limited to micro-enterprises. My Department conducted an extensive consultative process on the strategy and measures that should be pursued in line with the EU framework. That process included press advertisements seeking submissions, information on the Department's website and seminars. The consultative process was completed in December and a rural development programme was sent for EU Commission approval before the end of 2006.

The new rural development programme addresses three priorities — competitiveness, environment and quality of life/diversification. It bears in mind the outcome of the consultative process, the relative priorities and the available funding. While it does not envisage support for compliance with or upgrading to EU standards, the relevant environmental, hygiene and animal welfare issues are addressed through other measures such as on-farm investment and agri-environment. For food companies classified as micro-enterprises — having fewer than 10 employees and a turnover/balance sheet of less than €10million — the programme offers support options under its quality of life/diversification priority. When EU approval for Ireland's new rural development programme has been secured I will, together with my colleague the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, who has responsibility for the quality of life/diversification priority, ensure that small food producers will be well briefed on all the opportunities for support under the programme.

In the meantime, in the new decoupled support environment, small food producers need a deep understanding of changing consumer requirements and routes to market to secure a sustainable return for their produce. Bord Bia has introduced a range of measures to assist small food producers to adapt to emerging market opportunities.