Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans for the development and expansion of the fruit and vegetable industry in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22259/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department continues to support the development of the horticulture sector. Support has been provided through the grant aid scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector under the National Development Plan 2007-2013.

Under this scheme, my colleague Mr. Ciarán Cuffe TD, Minister of State at the Department with special responsibility for Horticulture, announced earlier this month a grant aid package of €3.8 million for the industry. Grants to 107 horticultural producers for capital investments in new facilities are provided for, and this will facilitate on-farm investment of about €9.6 million. Funding provided under the scheme underpins capital investment on farms that will encourage environmentally friendly practices, improve working conditions, improve the quality of produce and promote diversification of activities. This investment contributes significantly to the growth and development of the horticulture sector across all areas including the protected crops, field vegetables, nursery crops, mushrooms, soft fruit, apples and beekeeping sectors.

In addition, financial support continues to be available to those producers who participate in the Producer Organisation (PO) Scheme. This EU Scheme provides an important mechanism for growers to become part of a larger supply base, to concentrate on marketing and improve quality. My Department also provides funding to Bord Bia and Teagasc towards their work for the horticultural industry.

Bord Bia continues to provide support to operators in the horticulture sector to develop new markets by way of assistance in the areas of product innovation and marketing skills. Bord Bia is also involved in a number of campaigns to promote demand for horticultural produce including the Incredible Edibles initiative. This is an educational initiative for primary school children that is funded by industry and Bord Bia and facilitated by my Department. This initiative aims to increase fresh fruit and vegetable consumption as part of a healthy diet.

Teagasc is actively involved in providing education, research and technical advice for the horticultural industry. The educational component relates to full and part-time courses provided at many centres throughout the country. Research of relevance to the fruit and vegetable industry is carried out at a number of centres and Teagasc also has a number of specialist horticultural advisers.