Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

96. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the future development and expansion potential of the artisan food sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34850/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In Replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 7249/15 and 13361/15 on 18 February and 31 March respectively, I indicated that the artisan or speciality sector was valued at €615 million in 2012, that some 350 producers employ over 3,000 people and that the sector can have a significant impact on local economies. The development of programmes such as Food Academy and Food Works and promotional ventures such as the Artisan Market at Bloom and the three year 'Discover Farmhouse Cheese' promotion funded by the trade, the EU and my Departmentare assisting small producers to build food and drink businesses.

Identity is important to the future development and expansion of the artisan sector. So the publication by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland of Guidance Note No. 29 setting out a definition of the term Artisan/artisanal is significant. Artisan businesses are defined as micro-enterprises with a turnover up to €2m, employing fewer than 10 people and producing food in limited quantities (weekly average under 1,000 kg or litres ) using skilled craftspeople, a traditional method and characteristic ingredient(s) produced within 100 km. (). The Note also defines the terms Farmhouse, Traditional and Natural.

The FSAI definition was included in Food Wise 2025, the agrifood development strategy launched in July, which recognises the highly fragmented nature of the artisan/small business sector, which encompasses a diverse range of food and drink products, and identifies the opportunities offered by the resurgent interest in locally sourced foods, local food networks and short supply chains. These have led to an evolution of food markets and festivals, which often act as incubation units for start-up food and drink businesses.

Food Wise 2025 recommends actions to help the artisan sector to realise its potential, including festival markets, a pipeline for new entrants to the Artisan Food Market at Bloom, promoting meet the buyer opportunities, delivery of small business specific consumer and market insights and programmes to assist producers to extend their business reach. The commencement of the Ascent programme, a partnership between Bord Bia and PWC to support small food companies to scale their businesses, is one such programme. It will contribute to the implementation of Food Wise by the development agencies, Departments and the food sector and to delivery of sustainable growth.