Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her plans for the development and expansion of the fruit and vegetable industry here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7340/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the National Development Plan 2007-2013, substantial funding of circa €50 million has been earmarked to assist producers of fruit and vegetables to upgrade or develop new production facilities. The scheme of investment aid for the commercial horticulture sector will assist capital investment on farms to promote the specialisation and diversification of on-farm activities, improve the quality of products and facilitate environmentally friendly practices and improved working conditions on farms. Commercial enterprises will also be assisted to improve marketing and processing facilities.

In addition, fruit and vegetable producers can benefit from EU aid under the Producer Organisation (PO) scheme. POs provide their members the opportunity to concentrate marketing, reduce production costs, improve quality and stabilise prices. The strengthening of the role for POs is a core part of the EU strategy for improving the competitiveness of the fruit and vegetable sector in the future. With the more flexible rules adopted by the EU last year governing the formation and operation of POs, I hope to see them playing a much greater role in the future in supporting Irish producers of fruit and vegetables.