Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to encourage supermarkets to provide opportunities for organic producers to sell their produce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9080/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Last year I approved substantial funding of €1.5m for a three-year Organic Marketing Plan, which was produced by Bord Bia in consultation with the Organic Market Development Group, a sub-group of the National Steering Group for the Organic Sector. The objective of the Marketing Pan is to develop the organic sector in Ireland both for existing suppliers and for new entrants. Central to the Plan is the involvement of retail multiples and of the independent and direct channels. This dual-strategy approach was recommended in research carried out by Bord Bia on the organic market.

Bord Bia have already met the retail multiples and have found them very keen to increase their supplies and range of organic products. They have agreed to support the initiatives in the Plan over the three-year period. This will include involvement in promotional activities such as National Organic Week through press advertising, highlighting organic products in-store, organising events and distribution of recipe and information leaflets. To address the difficulties that some retailers have in making contact with domestic producers and suppliers, Bord Bia will produce an Organic Linkage Guide later this year. This Guide will be useful for providing retailers with up to date information on sources of organic products in Ireland.