Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004
33 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans for the future of the meat, cereal and dairy sectors with particular reference to continued viability in the face of international competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14781/04]
View answerI have always been aware of the need for long-term planning for the meat, cereal and dairy sectors as these account for the majority of farm output. A key element of the strategy of my Department is to have appropriate policies and support mechanisms in place to maximise the potential of these sectors and to ensure that they are competitive in an international context.
To further enhance the planning process I formed the Agri-Food 2010 Committee in 1999 to advise me on the best long-term approach to be taken in the sector. That group presented a detailed and coherent plan. In response to its report, my Department drew up an extensive plan of action. The vast majority of the recommendations from this plan of action have been implemented.
It is with a view to continuing the planning process for the long-term future of the agri-food sector, with the changing internal and external environments, that I have established a new group to set out a vision for the agriculture and food sector over the coming decade. This new group referred to as the Agri-Vision 2015 Committee has been asked to review the recommendations of the Agri-Food 2010 report in the context of developments since the report was completed. This new group is broadly based and possesses a wide range of skills and experience. It is drawn from farming, the food industry, research, academia and the State agencies with a direct interest in the agriculture and food industries.
