Research and development vital for food industry to thrive, says Coughlan

THE food industry, without investment in research and development, will be outstripped and outpaced by others who already possess the necessary research capability to meet consumer demands for products that confer health benefits, Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan warned yesterday.

She was officially opening a new €5.3 million Teagasc biotechnology centre, featuring five high-grade laboratories to accommodate about 40 researchers, and conference rooms at Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork. Ms Coughlan said health concerns are a major influencing factor on consumers and functional foods are forecast to become one of the key drivers of growth within the sector.

The well-being and vibrancy of the agri-food industry is heavily dependant on being continually and rapidly responsive to the realities of consumer demand.