Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin today outlined his party’s plans to sow the seeds for more agri-food jobs.
Mr Martin maintained the sector was one of the main drivers to restoring Ireland's economic growth and creating employment over the next few years.
Appealing to rural voters in the election, he said the party's manifesto and budget plans would secure investments essential for farmers and food processors.
"We are committed to creating thousands of new jobs through a range of measures from advanced research to opening up new export markets," Mr Martin said.
Speaking at Summerlea Farm in Douglas, Cork, Mr Martin vowed his party was committed to: :: supporting a well-resourced Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post 2013 and ensuring farmers and processors are positioned to adapt to emerging challenges.
- implementing the key recommendations of Food Harvest 2020 for the future development of the agri-food, fisheries and forestry sector — creating create thousands of jobs.
- providing direct capital supports for marketing and processing.
Mr Martin said Irish beef is sold in more supermarkets in more countries than beef of any other origin, with one in seven children across the globe feeding on Irish produced infant formula.
"This figure will continue to rise with the three largest global producers operating Irish bases," he continued
"Exports are absolutely essential to Ireland's economic recovery.
"Exports from the agri-food sector amounted to almost eight billion euro in 2010 and the sector has great potential for future growth. Fianna Fáil is ambitious for the future of Ireland and for the future of Irish agriculture.
"Both domestically and internationally, Fianna Fáil will act in the best interests of and will protect Ireland's most important indigenous sector."
PA