7.5million In EU Grant-Aid For Irish Marine Food Research

Of this amount, €1.6 million (19 per cent) went to the marine sector with a further €6 million being won in collaborative marine food related research projects across the various FP7 Thematic areas. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr Brendan Smith, announced the funding at a workshop organised by his Department.

In opening the Workshop, the Minister described the level of funding secured as "very significant and a clear demonstration of the essential need to continue Ireland's investment in R&D, particularly in relation to our most important indigenous sector and especially given the economic challenges facing both the country and the industry."

Minister Smith said that the involvement of Irish scientists and researchers in the Irish agri-food and fisheries' sciences, over the past three years, and the continuing need to emphasise the importance of industry involvement in research, demonstrated "the essential place of the Irish food sector in the Government's Smart Economy agenda."

Ms Maive Rute, Director, Directorate E: Food, Agriculture, Fisheries, Biotechnology, outlined a vision for a bright green economy and the role of FP7. "Green" in this context refers to the Europe 2020 Strategy which sets out a vision of a resource efficient, low carbon economy, stimulating green innovation, jobs and growth.

Priorities, she said would include: making industry “greener”; providing healthy food; closing the waste loop and retaining the European lead in bio-sciences and technologies.