Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider developing urban agriculture schemes and public market enterprises on undeveloped National Asset Management Agency land and other unused State property with a view to providing employment in these areas and encouraging the consumption of local produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12606/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I have no function with regard to the National Assets Management Agency (NAMA) or the usage of its assets. These come under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Finance.

The Acquisition of Land(Allotments) Act 1926, which is under the remit of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, enables local authorities to let allotments in urban areas to an individual for the specific purpose of cultivating vegetables mainly for consumption by that individual "or his family", if the authority is satisfied that a demand exists.

A number of projects to promote and encourage the consumption of local produce have been promoted by my Department. In 2009 my Department and Bord Bia launched a Good Practice Standard Award for Farmers' Markets and 39 markets have been awarded the Standard to date. A call for further applications issued in April. The Good Practice Standard is voluntary with all farmers' markets operating in the State eligible to apply. Farmers' Markets displaying this award undertake to stock at least 50% of local produce from the county or neighbouring counties, to accommodate seasonal and local garden/allotment produce as well as compliance with food safety/labelling rules and criteria on good governance. Farmers' Markets provide producers with a cost effective direct route to customers. They play an ever more important role in delivering income to producer, good value to the public and create employment.

My Department has also been instrumental in bringing together the Irish fruit and vegetable industry to facilitate and fund the Incredible Edibles Growing Challenge in primary schools. By the year end, 200,000 children will have participated in the project and this will have given them an appreciation of growing skills and an opportunity to focus on the need to increase the production of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Local food systems support the local and regional economy and can bring environmental benefits where sustainable production systems are followed. Local food is now seen as food that is not mass-produced, it is about small-scale production and hand-made produce. There is a growing consumer demand for healthy foods that are locally produced with research commissioned by Bord Bia in 2010 indicating that 79% of consumers buy local food to support the local economy. The Government, and I as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are committed to the development of the food sector and to working with industry to deliver on the ambitious growth targets set out in the Food Harvest 2020 report.

Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding his recent meeting in Brussels with Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn with particular regard to research and development investment opportunities in agri-food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12604/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I met Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn on 3 May and discussed a number of current issues including research and development in the food area.

During the meeting I emphasised the importance of the agri-food sector for the economic well being of the country. Research and development will be critical in driving the industry. Food is and will always remain the single most important output from land use in Ireland. However, there is a realisation and acceptance throughout the industry, encapsulated in our own 2020 strategy document "Food Harvest 2020" that in order to achieve sustainable growth we must "think green and act smart". We currently have a number of groups working on the implementation of the recommendations contained in "Food Harvest 2020" including an Agri Research Expert Advisory (AREA) Group which is developing a Strategic Research Agenda to guide future national investment in agricultural production research for food production and wider bio-economy activities.

The EU 7th Framework Programme (FP7) is the largest public good research programme in the world. It is playing a very significant role in strengthening the scientific and technological base of European industry and in encouraging international competitiveness whilst also promoting research that supports EU policies. Irish agri-food researchers in Teagasc, the Higher Education establishments and indeed food companies, especially SME's, are well placed to pursue opportunities for FP7 funding owing to the capacity, capability and critical mass that has been built up over the years. This is as a result of significant national investment, via grant-in-aid, funding of Teagasc and competitive funding programmes operated by my Department such as FIRM (Food Institutional Research Measure) and Stimulus and similar programmes operated by the Marine Institute. Areas of major focus where Irish researchers have particular strengths include nutrition, functional foods and food for health.

Ireland's success rate in winning FP7 funding is steadily improving thanks partly to the encouragement, guidance and assistance provided to Irish researchers by the National Delegates and Contact Points that form part of the Irish FP Network co-ordinated by Enterprise Ireland.