Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the value of the horticulture and nursery sector in the economy here; the number of persons employed therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43196/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The horticulture and nursery sector contributed approximately €282 million to farm output in 2007. There are no definitive statistics of the number of persons employed but the industry is heavily labour intensive and it is estimated that as many as 18,500 are employed across the food and non-food areas.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to realise the potential of the horticulture and nursery sector to increase export earnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43197/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The horticulture and nursery sector contributed approximately €282 million to farm output in 2007 and has considerable potential for further development but producers concentrate for the most part on supplying the home market and on import substitution. The only notable exception is the mushroom sector in that up to 80% of this crop is grown for export to the UK.

Aid is available under the NDP scheme of investment aid for the commercial horticulture sector and scheme for capital investments in marketing and processing in the horticulture sector to assist in the upgrading or development of facilities with the aim of maximizing the potential of the sector. The EU producer organisation scheme provides an important mechanism for growers to become part of a larger supply base, concentrate marketing and improve quality. Bord Bia can provide information on international market trends and support producers in their efforts to develop new markets. It can help in the area of product innovation and also provide support for horticultural producers in the application of marketing skills, including merchandising, product presentation and public relations.