Written answers

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Artisan Food Sector

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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354. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he sees further scope for development and employment in the artisan food sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13361/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The artisan or speciality food sector in Ireland was valued at c €615 million in 2012, with some 350 producers employing more than 3,000 people. Evidence suggests that the sector can have a significant impact on local economies. The emergence of Ireland’s artisan food sector, supported by growing consumer demand for niche products and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, has generated many new small food companies. Most are owner managed, frequently have a farming basis, and produce diverse products, demonstrating high potential for innovation. Artisan food also has potential to attract visitors and tourists as evidenced at Bloom and many food festivals.

Within the artisan sector, the farmhouse cheese sector includes over 50 cheese-makers producing more than 150 types of cheese valued at over €12 million per annum at farm gate level. My Department is supporting a three year programme managed by Bord Bia under the EU Promotion Scheme to promote and increase awareness of farmhouse cheese. It is projected that with the overall increase in milk production following the abolition of milk quotas, farmhouse and specialty cheese output could increase to just over 4,500 tonnes per annum worth around €33 m without requiring significant additional capital expenditure.

The Food Harvest 2020 strategy identified the artisan sector as having growth potential and has stimulated innovative programmes to support the sector including Food Academy, a programme developed by Bord Bia, the Local Enterprise Offices and Musgraves/Supervalu to support small producers to build businesses. This has generated new business and employment. Food Works, an initiative of Bord Bia, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland, has also been successful.

The development of a new 2025 strategy for the food and drink sector is underway and will encompass how best to capitalise on the positive growth prospects for the sector, which are driven by increased consumer interest in the provenance of food, environmental concerns, health and a desire to support the local economy.

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