Food Harvest 2020 will guide agri-food and fisheries to new era of growth

Just over a week ago, I had the privilege of launching with An Taoiseach Brian Cowen a ground-breaking report on the future of our agri-food, fisheries and forestry sector. Food Harvest 2020 was compiled by an expert group drawn from stakeholders across all sectors of the industry and ably chaired by Cavan man Dr. Sean Brady, formerly of Greencore and Lakeland Dairies, Killeshandra. I commissioned the report some months ago because I was acutely aware of the need to ensure that farmers, food producers and fishermen are correctly positioned to grow the industry and in particular to boost our exports significantly. The next decade will see a major increase in the world's population and with it a growth in demand for safe and affordable food. The agri-food and fisheries sector is the largest indigenous industry in this country, putting us in an ideal position to meet this anticipated surge in world demand for food. Already 150,000 people are employed directly in the industry, which generates over €7bn in exports on an annual basis, including many right across County Cavan. In Food Harvest 2020, the agri-food and fisheries sector potential for growth and expansion is clearly mapped out and it predicts that if we follow a clear course of action, we can increase our food and beverage exports by a third to over €12bn. As Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I will be leading the implementation of the report which contains specific targets for growth across all sectors of the industry. In order to boost our exports to €12bn, our farmers will be asked to increase the value of primary production by €1.5bn and value added processing by €3bn. A key element, which is important to this country, and particularly to County Cavan, will be the dairy sector, which has a real opportunity to increase output by 50%. It will be no easy task to meet these targets for growth. However, I am confident that the industry as a whole can do it if we work together with the common aim of fulfilling the potential of the Irish agri-food, fisheries and forestry sector to be at the forefront of our export led recovery. Following on from the Farmleigh Food Summit, the report argues that we must bring all our export produce under the label of Brand Ireland. Our agri-food sector has always been associated with green, natural and sustainable production. But we need to exploit this further and cannot take this reputation for granted. We must prove that what we are doing is sustainable and then deliver our green message to the rest of the world in a co-ordinated way. Coupled with a conscious focus on our green identity, the industry must position itself as part of the smart economy. We are fortunate in the fact that our farmers are generally technically advanced and that cutting edge technology is used to add value to the food we produce. We have also invested heavily in research and facilities over the years so that now, our farmers, our fishermen and our food companies are among the most technically advanced in the world. By thinking smarter we can build on existing knowledge and capability and push our industry to the forefront of our international competitors. Thinking and acting smarter will allow the Irish agri-food and fisheries sector to target new customers, increase skill levels, rethink business relationships and promote the farm to fork supply chain based on innovation and fresh thinking. Of course fine words and aspirations mean nothing unless they are acted upon, which is why I will be leading a focused high-level group to ensure the effective implementation of the recommendations contained in Food Harvest 2020. We are on the verge of a time of real promise for the Irish agri-food and fisheries sector and I look forward to playing my part in achieving the ambitious vision and targets set out in this ground breaking report.