Simon Coveney announces 10-year plan for agri-food sector

An ambitious 10-year plan for the agri-food sector has been commissioned by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney.

He has asked 35 leading figures in the agri-food industry to work on the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy, which will be published next July.

The group will be chaired by Glanbia managing director John Moloney and will include farmer representatives, chairpersons of State agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency , Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc and key figures in some of the State's largest food and drink companies.

These include Glanbia, Kepak, Kerry Group, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard,the Irish Dairy Board, Carton's and Danone Ireland.

Irish Farmers’ Association

They will sit alongside presidents of the IFA , Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society and Macra na Feirme, as well as representatives from agencies such as

Bord Iascaigh Mhara

and Birdwatch Ireland, and academics and researchers.

Mr Coveney has asked the group to produce a strategy that will outline the actions needed to increase economic growth and job creation and improve environmental sustainability in the next decade.

Mr Coveney will open a public consultation on the strategy, with submissions invited from organisations and individuals before January 9th.

The Minister will also open tenders for an environmental analysis of the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy, with the same closing date.

Exports growing

Exports of Irish-made food and drink grew by 9 per cent last year to reach almost €10 billion and Bord Bia has said they could breach the €12 billion barrier by 2020.

Mr Coveney said the agri-food sector had already demonstrated capacity for growth and development, even in challenging times, so it was clear that more could be achieved by focusing efforts on opportunities presented by growing global food demand.

The abolition of milk quotas next April is expected to lead to dramatic changes in the sector, with dairy farmers poised to significantly increase milk supply and dairy processors expanding facilities and seeking new overseas markets.

A Teagasc survey has found that about 60 per cent of dairy farmers are planning to expand production following the abolition of quotas.

The strategy will also focus on opportunities in China, India and Africa.