Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans there are, or that will be implemented to increase turkey production in view of the fact that there is substantial turkey farm and hatchery capacity not being utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25934/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to incentivise turkey production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25959/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together.

The farm gate value of the poultry sector, at €150m (approx €120m meat and €30m eggs), accounts for approximately 3% of gross agricultural output. Within this, the turkey production sector is a small niche element which is highly seasonal and which has a high level of vertical integration. Food Harvest 2020 targets a 10% increase in the value of output of the poultry sector 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.

The Common Agricultural Policy constrains the financial assistance that can be afforded to poultry producers with such assistance usually linked to avian health or welfare considerations.

My Department is responsible for the registration of turkey production sites and hatcheries and registered sites are required to comply with regulations pertaining to animal welfare, hygiene, disease control and marketing and production standards.

Capacity utilisation decisions are made having regard to commercial considerations and are a matter for operators.