Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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779. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional resources will be provided to Bord Bia to assist client companies exporting to Northern Ireland and to Britain due to difficulties arising from the weakening of the value of sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22845/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Bord Bia is prioritising supports for client companies exporting to the UK, which remains Ireland’s largest market for food and drink products, accounting for 41% of exports. Their strategy to support the industry in the current uncertain environment is focused on maintaining competitiveness, addressing in particular:

- The provision of regular information updates

- Advice on volatility, for example a Managing Currency Volatility Workshop on 20 July

- The provision of consumer and market insight

- Market development and diversification, including buyer events

- Market communications and promotion

Bord Bia is in close contact with companies seeking assistance in developing the skills required to manage their way through the current difficulties. A Bord Bia Brexit briefing on 8 July was attended by more than 180 sector representatives, from farm leaders to major exporting companies and SMEs. I have asked Bord Bia to provide practical guidance in particular to assist SMEs in dealing with short term marketing challenges. The level of resources required will be monitored in the light of emerging issues. In the meantime, my Department and its agencies are working closely with producers and industry interests and I have established a new consultative committee, which will engage with each of the relevant agencies and stakeholders to consider the areas at greatest risk.