Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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89. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has any concerns about questionable marketing practices used by Irish companies in west Africa in relation to fat-filled milk powder, FFMP, and the support given to FFMP exports by Bord Bia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36624/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Ireland is a small open trading economy and Irish dairy products are exported to around 140 countries around the world, including markets in Africa. Bord Bia is the Irish semi state agency with responsibility for the promotion of Irish food, drink and horticulture both in Ireland and in overseas markets. West Africa is a market which presents significant opportunities for Irish drinks, seafood and dairy companies.

While promotional campaigns are an operational matter for Bord Bia, they have advised me that their activities promoting Irish dairy to international customers are not typically product specific.

Ireland is committed to supporting enhanced cooperation between the European Union and African Union (AU). West Africa is a valued trading partner for Ireland. I had an opportunity to engage with a number of my African counterparts while attending the AU-EU Agriculture Ministerial Conference in Rome last week.