Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 428: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with recent attempts to forge a strategic partnership with French fishing vessels; if he envisages further progress on this initiative in the near future; if the fleets of other countries will be considered for this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20992/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On 4 July I had the pleasure of welcoming to Ireland key representatives from six of the most influential French fishing organisations, representing over 850 vessels. Their visit was part of a BIM led initiative aimed at agreeing strategic partnerships between Irish and French seafood interests, with a view to increasing the level of French Landings into Irish ports.

Currently, total fishing opportunities in the waters around Ireland are valued at €1.2 billion. The Irish fleets' share of this is 18% in volume terms, worth some €200 million. French vessels catch a sizeable share of the fishing opportunities in Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone and if they could be persuaded to land more into Ireland there would be a positive knock on effect for our processors and their job creation potential.

The intensive day of meetings between the French delegation and Ireland's main seafood processing plants, facilitated by BIM, was a first step in an innovative and strategic process to increase port activity and market share for our processors. The specific aim of the exploratory talks was to identify opportunities for Irish and French companies to work together to improve quality, reduce costs and ensure sustained supply to an even larger customer base. With the product being landed and processed in Ireland it would reach mainland Europe more quickly and in a format demanded by the consumer and multiples alike. The increased efficiencies in this route to market would form mutual competitive advantages.

The Food Harvest 2020 strategy highlights that shared resources through strategic initiatives, including other Member States, will be central to economic development and this initiative is a prime example of how this might work. I have asked BIM to report back to me in 3 months with a progress report on the development of these partnerships. I will consider the progress report from BIM in the Autumn, and if the pilot project proves successful I will examine with BIM its extension to cover the possibility of developing strategic alliances with fleet owners in other countries.