Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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489. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total spend under the Africa Agri-Food Development Fund; the current status of the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30600/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Africa Agri-Food Development Fund (AADF) , a joint initiative of my Department and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was launched in 2012. To date the total spend on projects by AADF is €476,083. AADF was established to encourage the development of partnerships between the Irish agri-food sector and African countries in support of sustainable growth of local food industries, building markets for local produce and supporting mutual trade between Africa and Ireland.

AADF was initially set up for a pilot period of two years, but the experience to date has been that it has taken some time for project proposals to be developed and submitted, given the complexities of carrying out business in different African countries and the time needed to develop local partnerships in Africa. In this context AADF’s operation has been extended beyond the initial pilot period. AADF is currently considering a number of potential project proposals and is open to receive new proposals. In addition to the provision of project funding, AADF has been successful in raising awareness amongst the Irish agri-food sector of potential opportunities available in Africa and has provided additional support to Irish companies seeking to establish markets in Africa in terms of development of local networks and the provision of advice on the business environments in specific African countries through the Irish embassy network in the region.

I believe that AADF is playing a valuable role in facilitating closer links between the Irish agri-food sector and the development of sustainable agriculture in Africa. In conjunction with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade my Department is considering undertaking a review of AADF to assess its structure and focus into the future.