Food Industry

Question 1

Reasons for success of Irish agri food industry

Answer 1

Climate and landscape
-high average rainfall, mild winters, rich fertile soils (extensive tillage)
History and tradition
Rich traditional homemade foods (soda bread)
Government agencies
-guidance and support for success, start up grants, animal health welfare
Coastline
- clean, unpolluted allows fish for sea food

Question 2

major sectors of Irish food industry

Answer 2

• beef
• livestock
• sheep meat
• sea food
• dairy + ingredients

Question 3

Major Irish foods exports

Answer 3

Meat and livestock 33%

• meat: beef, poultry, sheep meat
• livestock: cattle, pigs, sheep
• United Kingdom (beef, poultry, pig) France (lamb)

Dairy ingredients 33%

• cheese, milk powder, ice cream, butter
• United Kingdom, China

Question 4

Major foods imported

Answer 4

Prepared foods

• cakes (mr Kipling) United Kingdom
• confectionary (Hershey’s) United States

Beverages

• tea, coffee
• alcoholic drinks (heinkien) Holland
• bottled water (volvic) France

Question 5

Departments that support food industry

Answer 5

Teagasc
Bord Bia
Enterprise Ireland 
Department of health 
Food safety authority of Ireland 
Department of agriculture

Question 6

Role of food safety authority of Ireland

Answer 6

• enforces food safety legislations through number of official agencies
• provide advice to minister, food industry, consumers on safety matters
• ensure food companies committed to production of safe food, comply with all relevant laws
• take actions against food establishment in breach of food safety legislation

Question 7

Functions of Bord Bia in the Irish food industry

Answer 7

• issues Bord Bia quality mark, highlights that food fully traceable and produced with highest level of care
• runs origin green initiative which ensures food and drinks manufacturers demonstrate commitment to environmental sustainability
• offers marketing services

Question 8

Function of teagasc

Answer 8

Office training and advice to people wishing to agriculture and food industry
Main provider of further education in agriculture food horticulture and forestry

Question 9

Reasons of growing of popularity of food produced by small businesses

Answer 9

High quality- superior taste when compared to other foods, healthier more natural
employment- based in small communities
Ireland’s reputation - exporting products (increase popularity and sales)

Question 10

Career opportunity

Answer 10

Supplying - farming and fishing
marketing - marketing manager
Transport - pilot, truck diver
catering - chef