Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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501. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to make preparations to capitalise on Brexit, with particular reference to the opening up of new opportunities for food production here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7448/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There may be opportunities for some Irish agri food companies, arising  from reductions in raw material costs because of exchange rate volatility or, depending on the outcome of the current negotiations, some import substitution opportunities. My Department and its agencies are at present considering the extent of such potential.

Nonetheless the available research suggests that on balance the impact of Brexit on the agri food sector is likely to be negative. 

Against this background the primary focus of my Department and its agencies has been on investing in marketing and promotion, in product development, innovation and production efficiency, and on diversification into new markets  and deeper penetration of existing markets, including the UK.

Over the last eighteen months, I have led trade missions to more than ten non-European countries on three different continents. The purpose of these Missions is to open up new markets for our food products, while at the same time retaining and developing existing markets. I have also allocated significant additional funding to Bord Bia in Budgets 2017 and 2018 to support its Market Prioritisation and development programmes.