Written answers

Thursday, 8 March 2007

Department of Agriculture and Food

Food Industry

5:00 pm

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 40: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans she has for the enhancement of research and development within the agri-food sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8822/07]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department's Agri Vision 2015 Plan of Action and the National Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013 identify the necessary actions to build a knowledge-based, competitive, innovative and consumer focused agri-food sector. Investment in Research and Development is at the forefront of these strategy documents and funding in this area has been a priority for my Department and is identified as a priority in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013.

As well as providing core funding for research carried out by Teagasc, my Department provides competitive funding of public good food research, from basic to pre-commercial, to the Universities, Institutes of Technology and Teagasc under the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM). An important role is also played by Teagasc's commercial subsidiary, Moorepark Technology Ltd, a pilot plant that provides industry and Teagasc with a commercial technology transfer vehicle. The Research Stimulus Fund (RSF) programme provides grant assistance, on a competitive basis, for agri-production research including agri-environment and biodiversity, advances in animal and plant bio-science, animal and plant health, rural economy and other areas of sustainable agriculture not covered in the major research programmes.

The main objectives of FIRM are to provide a base of information and expertise in generic technologies to support innovation and product development in the food industry and assure consumer protection by ensuring that product development is underpinned by attention to food safety and quality issues. Funding for FIRM under the NDP 2007-2013 will amount to some €14 million a year compared with average annual expenditure of €7 million between 2000 and 2006. Funding for RSF under the NDP 2007-2013 will amount to over €7 million on average annually compared with an annual average expenditure of some €1.5 million in the period 2000 to 2006.

Funding to the food industry for in-company research and technology transfer is administered by Enterprise Ireland. My Department works closely with Enterprise Ireland to ensure that all aspects of food research, from applied to commercial, are facilitated and has supported initiatives by Enterprise Ireland to encourage greater involvement by the food industry in food research and development.

Under the new NDP my Department will continue to operate its competitive research programmes in sustainable agriculture, food and forestry, including development of non-food crops such as bio-fuels. These measures are operated in a coherent way with linked programmes in other Departments. In addition, the Teagasc R&D programme will continue to be a priority for my Department. In this regard I announced last year that some €27 million arising from the sale of Teagasc assets would be retained and re-invested in the Teagasc Research Vision programme to provide centres of excellence that will equip those involved in agriculture and food with the knowledge to improve efficiency, competitiveness and responsiveness to the market.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.