Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the initiatives planned to promote the indigenous fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25543/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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A new seafood market initiative has been established under the chairmanship of Jason Whooley, CEO of BIM to identify and maximise the opportunities for domestic seafood supply to the Irish seafood market.

The objectives of the Irish Seafood Market Initiative will be:

Develop a shared understanding of key market issues between fishermen, processors, co-ops, retailers and their representative organisations.

Determine actionable outcomes which will maximise opportunities in the Irish seafood market for the Irish fishing fleet, processors and retailers.

Its scope will include:

Fish supply, availability and seasonality

Seafood prices

Market demand including domestic consumer seafood requirements

Retail, Food service opportunities

Seafood quality issues

Product formats

The Initiative will include representatives of FIF, IFA Agriculture, IASC, Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Associations (IFPEA) and Fish Sales Organisations. I have written to the relevant organisations seeking nominations to the Group and I hope that the Group will commence work without delay.