If optimism and enthusiasm were marketable commodities the Irish would be world leaders. And there was certainly plenty of both when Ulster staged its international food and drink exhibition, IFEX 97, in Belfast this week. These are exciting times for the province's food sector as the multiples cross the Irish Sea in expansion sorties set to cause the biggest ever shake up of Ireland's manufacturing business. Small wonder therefore, that visitors to this week's show detected apprehension among some exhibitors as they perceive the invasion as more of a threat than an opportunity given the multiples' firm commitments to their private label suppliers on this side of the water. Ulster firms, through the Department of Agriculture, the Industrial Development Board and the Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU), have a formidable array of support groups. But the multiple invasion is causing a massive ripple effect across the entire Irish food manufacturing scene. Thus it was also clear in Belfast this week that NI producers must regard more collaboration across the main sectors as an important additional factor for marketing survival given the newcomers' sophisticated IT backed resourcing policies. Easy to say, but hard to effect, given the single minded character of Ulstermen. But more collaboration on the wider exporting front may also be seen soon. It was significant that the Dublin-based Irish Food Board's pavilion took the opportunity to proclaim "Ireland, the food island" across its frontage in Belfast. Perhaps a strong pointer to the day when the industries north and south of the border unite their grass based economies in an effort to represent the exporters of the EU's most westerly outpost. While trade politics may be curbing this development, there have already been signs of collaboration. Is it a Utopian view therefore, to suggest that marketing borders will one day be swept aside to unite food producers on the island of Ireland? After all, the two tourist boards are already working together.{{NEWS}}