Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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370. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated value of the total poultry sector from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18597/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The poultry sector plays an important role within the Irish agricultural economy, accounting for approximately 2% of gross agricultural output. The poultry sector supports around 5,000 jobs, most of these in rural areas. The value of primary output for the total poultry sector, including eggs, has remained relatively static over the last five years. Output stood at €177 million in 2011, €189 million in 2012, €183 million in 2013 and approximately €186 million in 2014. Given that the forecast for consumer demand remains somewhat stable , estimates for 2015 stand at €18 6 million. Export values however have increased steadily over the same period from €210m in 2011 to c. €310m in 2014, growing by 20% alone in the last year as the value of trade was driven by increased shipments of processed products. Strong fundamentals supported demand in almost all regions of the world in 2014 and this is expected to continue in 2015, although some easing in global poultry prices is expected. Irish production is forecast to remain stable during 2015 as EU and international production is estimated to increase marginally. However, the impact of cereal price changes will influence output decisions by producers as the year progresses.

The new Rural Development programme 2014 – 2020 (RDP) will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector going forward, and will be of particular relevance to a number of key areas within agriculture, including the poultry sector. The main areas for support in the RDP for the poultry sector will include:

- significant support for on-farm capital investment under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme II (TAMS II) scheme;

- knowledge transfer and innovation measures, aimed at underpinning farm viability, sustainability and growth through the adoption of best practice and innovative solutions.