Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to implement policies to ensure Ireland's clean and green food marketing image is protected and actively promoted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28592/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Bord Bia has in place a full programme of Quality Assurance food and horticulture schemes which it markets on an ongoing basis. The concept of Ireland, the Food Island was created by Bord Bia in 1996 as an umbrella brand to represent all facets of the Irish food and drink industry at international trade fairs. Bord Bia communicates directly with targeted buyers internationally via market/sector specific publications highlighting the competitive advantages of doing business with Ireland the Food Island.

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 3,750 members in the Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme. Bord Bia uses its quality assurance logo for these products in its promotional programmes.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to consolidate all aspects of the development and promotion of the agri-food industry within his Department and establish a Cabinet sub-committee on the food and beverage sector, shadowed by a high level interdepartmental group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28593/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to work with the food industry to ensure that the maximum potential of this key indigenous sector is fully realised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28594/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 540 together.

The interdepartmental group has been established and has held two meetings to date. Membership comprises representatives of the following Departments; Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Finance; Foreign Affairs; Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; Health and Children; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A number of issues of cross departmental nature were discussed including CAP/WTO, energy costs, waste management, retail margins, regulation and market access. This Group is preparing a report with recommendations for the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the food and beverage sector.

The high level groups established on foot of the AgriVision Report, i.e. the Food Industry Committee, the Agency CEO Group, the Agri-food Research Subgroup as well as the Interdepartmental and the Market Access Groups established under the Programme for Government all work with the food industry in developing the sector and progressing issues impeding its development.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 541: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to expand the regional food forum concept here to develop a forum through which researchers, producers, processors and consumers may engage and interact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28595/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Over the 2005-2007 period, the Department launched the successful Regional Food Forum initiative to build closer links between state agencies and food businesses and to develop regional and local foods. As they developed, these fora were used to showcase local food and drinks products, research presentations on emerging market opportunities and to publish a regional trade directory of food agencies and businesses. Successful local food entrepreneurs generously shared their experiences and there was a very good response from small, speciality and artisan businesses attending the event.

Building on the success of the Regional Food Fora, a National Conference on Local Food was held in Mullingar in November 2007. This was a joint initiative by DAFF 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.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to facilitate small food business by making available through An Bord Bia an increased level of expert advice and support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28596/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to support the development of small and medium agri-enterprises and short food chain activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28597/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together.

The development of small and medium enterprises is supported under my Department's capital investment scheme for marketing and processing of agricultural products and a call for proposals issued in December 2007. The sectors involved were Horticulture, Livestock Marts, and Small slaughterhouses and low throughput Meat establishments. Some 110 eligible applications were received and the evaluation process is underway.

Bord Bia's Centre of Excellence is branded "Bord Bia Vantage — Centre of Excellence for Small Business". It was established in December 2006 and formally launched in November 2007. It includes an on-line resource guide Vantage Point which to date has recorded in excess of 700 unique visitors. Vantage Plus began a series of Competency Development Workshops on Distribution and Account Management with 100 company representatives in attendance. Vantage Partner has commenced its Business Development Programme.