Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 559: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total level of employment in the poultry sector, in each of the past three years and to date in 2012; the potential for expansion with resultant increased employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14858/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The farm gate value of the poultry sector, at €150m (approx €120m meat and €30m eggs), is 3% of gross agricultural output. Export values in 2011 increased by 3% to €210 million arresting the decline experienced in recent years. Most of this increase occurred in European and Asian markets. Approximately 6,000 people are employed across the sector. Food Harvest 2020 targets a 10% increase in the value of output by 2020. It has identified scope for some reduction in transport costs together with efficiencies through cost effective energy use in terms of increased scale and volume of modern housing facilities. In addition, improved feed conversion rates and an improvement in the quality of birds produced can help achieve these targets and maintain producer viability. Investment in innovation and value-added output together with ongoing promotion under Quality Assurance Schemes will also help in this regard.