Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1275: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to encourage and support the development of high value-added branded seafood exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47740/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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BIM continues to encourage and support Irish seafood companies producing high value branded seafood in developing and accessing export markets including:

Detailed market intelligence reports to provide focus and competitive advantage for Irish companies.

Business Development. This provides a range of company mentoring and development services. During 2008 Business Development co-funded 29 joint BIM –Seafood company marketing projects resulting in a total 1.46 million being committed by the industry to primarily export marketing. Business Development also facilitated participation in the European Seafood Exhibition (ESE) -the world's largest seafood exhibition. At ESE 2008, 26 Irish Seafood companies showcased "the best of Irish Seafood" in the BIM Market Area Pavilion.

The BIM Seafood Development Centre (SDC) supports companies new product development efforts.

European Trade Marketing — BIM has four European representative offices (Paris, Dusseldorf, Madrid and recently opened a UK office). The European offices facilitate trade relationships with key European buyers as well as organising Irish participation in European trade shows such as Biofach (Germany) and Conexmar, Spain.

Following the Government Decision on the rationalization of State Agencies this European Marketing Section is to transfer to Bord Bia whose statutory function to promote, assist and develop the marketing of Irish food and livestock. As a result, the food, horticultural and seafood sectors should be better served by the combined expertise of an amalgamated body, which can bring together the synergies necessary to promote and market these sectors. The core elements of seafood marketing are common to those carried out by Bord Bia in other food sectors. This includes the provision of market research and intelligence, trade development activities and food and drink promotion.