Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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605. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, more than 20 years after the merger of Bord Glas into Bord Bia, the stated objectives of the time were achieved; whether horticulture has grown at the rate envisaged in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5895/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The then Minister’s stated objective at the time of the merger of Bord Bia with Bord Glas in 2004 was that both sectors would be better served by the joint expertise of an amalgamated body that could achieve the synergies necessary to best promote and market both food and horticulture at home and abroad.

Since the merger, Bord Bia has actively worked to promote and develop the horticulture sector. Bloom the largest national showcase for the amenity and edible horticulture sectors, reaches over 120,000 consumers directly and many more through its media and associated promotions. Bord Bia has also enabled access to a series of EU co-funded promotional campaigns which have helped to maintain consumption of vegetables and, in some cases specifically potatoes reverse declining consumption.

Other initiatives include the promotion of the Bord Bia Quality Mark on the domestic market which highlights product quality for consumers of Irish fruit and vegetables.

The amalgamation of Bord Bia and Bord Glas has led to a more cohesive approach and has delivered the synergy necessary to promote the Irish food, drink and horticultural industry, both on the home market and abroad.