Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason the poultry sector was not included in the list of specific sectors in need of assistance which were allowed receive unspent CAP funds in view of the fact that there have been closures in the industry due to unfair competition and high feed costs; his views on the future of the poultry industry here; and if he will make a representation to the EU to include this industry as in serious need of assistance. [6417/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The availability of unspent CAP funds within national Single Payment Scheme (SPS) ceilings, results from an agreement, reached in the CAP Health Check, that such funds could be used by Member States for specific sectors and in clearly defined cases. As the poultry sector was not one of the sectors in receipt of direct aid under the SPS, it was not included in the list of sectors (in Article 68.1(b) of Regulation 73/2009) identified as eligible for the unspent SPS fund.

The primary outlet for Irish-produced poultry is the fresh retail trade. In that market the main challenge facing the indigenous Irish poultry industry is competition from imports of fresh poultry from other EU countries. Under single market rules unrestricted volumes can be traded between Member States and they are very competitively priced. The Bord Bia Poultry Quality Assurance Scheme quality mark is of great assistance to the indigenous poultry producer in the area of retail sales and the Bord has been very active in nurturing the Scheme over the years.

The Poultry Expert Group will reconvene shortly to review its recommendations in the light of developments over the last year and consider what further issues warrant consideration. The Group's 2007 report focused on a range of issues including labelling, environmental protection, welfare legislation and feeding stuffs.

The outlook for the EU poultry industry is quite favourable with modest growth likely over the coming years. The challenge will be for Irish producers to remain sufficiently competitive to retain current market share.