Written answers

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

Department of Agriculture and Food

Food Industry

9:00 pm

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to implement policies to ensure Ireland's clean and green food marketing image is protected and actively promoted. [18158/08]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Bord Bia continues to operate Quality Assurance Schemes for beef, lamb, pigmeat, poultry and eggs. At present there are more than 25,000 certified farms in the Beef Quality Assurance Scheme and close to 4,000 members in the Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme. Horticulture schemes are also in place. Deputies will have seen the increasing display of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance logo on a range of produce.

The Suckler Welfare Scheme introduced by my Department and the exceptional take-up by producers have the potential to demonstrate to international buyers even further the standards underlying Ireland's clean and green food and the commitment of all stakeholders to maintaining those standards. Bord Bia continues to bring food companies together with targeted buyers internationally and to highlight via market/sector specific publications the strengths of Ireland the Food Island.

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to expand the regional food forum concept to develop a forum through which researchers, producers, processors and consumers may engage and interact. [18159/08]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Regional Food Forum initiative was launched by my Department to build closer links between state agencies and food businesses and to develop regional and local foods. The Fora showcased local food and drinks products, research was presented on emerging market opportunities, regional food business and agency directories were published and successful local food entrepreneurs generously shared their experiences. In 2007 two Regional Food Fora were held in the West (Claregalway) and the South West Forum (Cork) regions completing the series of six. The earlier fora were in the North-West (Killybegs), the North-East (Carrickmacross), Midlands (Port Laoise) and South-East (Kilkenny). The positive response from small, speciality and artisan businesses attending was borne out by a qualitative survey conducted by Bord Bia. The survey was an input into the decision to hold a National Conference on Local Food.

The National Conference on Local Food held in Mullingar in November 2007 was a joint initiative by my Department and Bord Bia and aimed to raise awareness of local food, provide practical information for those involved in local food production and address some of the issues highlighted at the Regional Food Fora. The audience comprised local food producers, relevant producer associations and organisations, key opinion formers and influencers, industry representative bodies and relevant state agencies. Some 250 people attended.

In February 2008 an Artisan Industry Committee was established under the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan complementing the other industry, agency and research groupings and providing a structure for the sector and the Department to examine issues to promote regional and local food strengths. The widening of the membership of the Department's Consumer Liaison Panel announced on 5 May, will maximise consumer input into the Department's activities having regard to increased attention on food production and agri-environmental matters.

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