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Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Horticulture, today opened the 2011 All Ireland Mushroom Conference and Trade Show at the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan stating in his address that "The mushroom industry is one of the success stories of Irish agriculture over the past 30 years." 

The conference is a cross border event with speakers and visitors from both Ireland and Northern Ireland as well as further afield. Gerry Laverty, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in Northern Ireland also spoke.

Commenting on the theme of the conference which is "Maintaining the Momentum", Minister McEntee stated that it was the momentum currently being enjoyed by the mushroom industry which would help in Ireland’s economic recovery along with the rest of the agri-food sector. In this regard, the Minister stated "I think I can say that there is general agreement on the importance of agriculture and the agri-food sector locally, nationally and internationally. I am optimistic that this vitally important, indigenous sector can help lead Ireland’s economic recovery."

The Minister highlighted in particular the competitiveness of the mushroom sector stating that it "has always been market led and has shown that it can survive even in challenging circumstances." The Minister put this down to its being "open to innovation and quick to adopt technical developments as they arise."

The Minister also emphasised the Government’s commitment to the industry with grant aid of €1 million allocated to investments under the National Development Plan.