November 2008 – Government's backing of food industry good news for north Kildare - Brady

Kildare North Fianna Fail TD Áine Brady has welcomed the progress of the Government's strategy to promote Ireland's food industry.

"The food industry is especially important to us in north Kildare, bringing employment and investment to the area."

"I am pleased that the Government and the Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith TD have prioritised the promotion of our food industry with the Food Investment and Innovation Strategy."

"The Minister informed me that Agri-Vision 2015 Report sets out the vision for delivering high-quality, nutritious food that is produced in a sustainable manner."

"The Agri-Vision Action Plan, together with the National Development Plan also focuses on the need for competitiveness, innovation and a focus on the consumer."

"The food industry will also benefit from investment in transport, the investment in agri-business that will increase the use of technology and other skills."

"The Government have also invested over €100 million in the past decade in building food research capacity and capability in the third-level institutions and have supported Bord Bia in developing marketing strategies for changing lifestyles and consumer needs."  

"Recently the Minister for Agriculture and An Tanaiste launched an Innovation Initiative by Enterprise Ireland for the Prepared Consumer Foods sector. It will allow for €30 million to be invested in a range of innovation supports for companies including possibilities for partnerships between large and smaller companies and for joint innovation projects between food and non-food companies."

"This Innovation Initiative follows on from the investment of significant public funds in traceability systems, quality assurance schemes, research and development measures as well as measures at farm level to promote sustainable production meeting environmental and animal welfare imperatives."

"The Minister has also visited the US with Enterprise Ireland to highlight Ireland's Food Investment and Innovation Strategy and the development of the Irish food sector and the benefits of collaboration with Irish food companies."

"The consumer food companies we have in north Kildare such as Green Isle, Dawn Farm Food and Tara Vale Foods have great potential and I am hopeful that with this Government's support they will expand, creating more employment and industry for the area and put north Kildare on the food map," concluded Deputy Brady.

First  [1]  2  3  Last