IBEC calls for national strategy on seafood exports

The Irish Business and Employers Confederation has questioned the role of State agencies involved in fish marketing and has called for a national strategy for the £230 million seafood export sector.

The roles of both Bord Bia and An Bord Iascaigh Mhara require "urgent clarification", IBEC's marine food council has said in a policy document which criticises potential duplication of State resources.

The document, which has been presented to the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, on behalf of seafood, aquaculture and processing interests associated with IBEC, contends it may be more beneficial to give more market support to processors, while leaving BIM to continue with group marketing activities. It has called for an inter-agency group, comprising BIM, An Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland, to enhance co-operation.

In a veiled criticism of BIM's current strategy, the IBEC council proposes that sectoral committees be established with representation from both BIM and business, which could respond to industry needs. Rotation of personnel from BIM into the private sector, and vice-versa, should also be encouraged to "free up the structure of BIM", the council's document says.

Under the management of a single agency, client companies should have access to a "one-stop shop" for marketing, research and development, and product development information, it says. Both BIM and the marine food industry should be represented on the existing trade advisory forum which should draw up a statement on trade policy for Ireland.

The IBEC council emphasises the continuing need to improve quality standards in handling and storing fish.

In an analysis of EU structural fund use, the council notes that the total employment in the marine industry is only projected to increase from 15,470, or 1.4 per cent of the workforce, to 17,630 during the life-span of the current EU Operational Programme for Fisheries. In contrast, the regional socio-economic study of the fisheries sector which was drawn up by the Nautilus consultancy group for the EU Commission six years ago stated that employment in the industry here could benefit from further development of processing and related services, without significant change in production volume.

The council also highlights the lack of awareness at home of the benefits of eating fish, especially given that Ireland is the EU's most westerly state. The Irish retail market is currently worth about £75 million a year, and half of all families eat fish at least once a week. Fresh fish is still the main choice, accounting for 39 per cent of total home market value.