BORD Bia research into the eating habits of the French, which was outlined in Paris yesterday, has shown market opportunities for Irish food and drink companies.

THE concept of food as art was examined at Bord Bia’s third International Speciality Food Forum at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublln, yesterday.

BORD Bia yesterday reported that Irish beef exports to key EU markets rose by 11% last year.

PAT CROTTY has been elected to succeed Angela Kennedy as the chairman of the Small Firms Association.

The EU must urgently open up the services market to member states or risk even higher levels of unemployment and less investment across the region, chairperson of the Small Firms Association Angela Kennedy said today.

MORE THAN 30,000 pupils in 150 primary schools are set to become Food Dudes in a three-year €1.2 million Bord Bia programme to encourage healthy eating habits.

THE chairman of the Small Firms Association has called for the Government to appoint a National Development Plan supremo to deliver major infrastructure projects.

The Government was urged today to appoint a person with executive responsibility to deliver the major infrastructure aspects of the new National Development Plan (NDP).

AN Irish company, described by Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan as competing in the biotech Olympics all day every day, was praised yesterday for having achieved recognition on the world stage for the accuracy and purity delivered by its products.

It is crucial that the December Budget maintains a balance between increases in current spending and the needs of the economy to regain lost competitiveness, delegates at the annual Small Firms Association (SFA) lunch were told today.

The Small Firms Association has launched its National Small Business Awards application process.

The inaugural SFA National Small Business Awards, partnered by O2 Ireland and Bank of Ireland Business Banking, were officially launched by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Government Buildings.