Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2010
18 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the recommendations from the Food Harvest 2010 report that will be prioritised for implementation in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45175/10]
View answerMy priority for 2011 is to maximise the cohesive implementation of Food Harvest 2020. This will be achieved through a number of strands. I have already established and am chairing the High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC). Their priority for 2011 is to ensure an effective, integrated approach to implementation. I have already asked the Department and the state agencies to take action in relation to the following key areas, and to report back on progress achieved:
the development of the dairy sector,
the profitability of the beef sector,
ensuring a credible sustainability agenda, including Brand Ireland,
improving competitiveness and promoting effective business models,
prioritising and advancing innovation, research and entrepreneurship.
Focused activation groups, working under the direction and with a remit determined by the HLIC are achieving progress on these areas.
Specifically, the Dairy Activation Group will present the HLIC, shortly, with their roadmap on the key production and processing milestones needed to be met to achieve the 50% increase in milk production by 2020. A Horticulture Action Group has already been established to activate the relevant recommendations of Food Harvest 2020 and report back to the HLIC on progress in the new year.
As part of their analytical work in developing the sustainability agenda for the Irish food sector, Bord Bia and Teagasc in conjunction with the Carbon Trust are undertaking an extensive pilot audit of 200 farms to demonstrate the sustainability of the beef sector. This initiative will provide consumer feedback on the values which could underpin a general approach differentiating our food and drink product. The HLIC has already endorsed these scoping actions and are being kept informed of developments on an ongoing basis.
To further a range of Food Harvest 2020 recommendations, I recently launched a research call of €10 million under the three public good research programmes operated by my Department. This call focused on the strategy's ‘Smart', ‘Green' ‘Growth' objectives and will build on existing research capability and support the development of collaborative research networks. A further initiative in this area is the establishment of an Agri Research Expert Advisory Group which will facilitate greater input and resources from the agriculture industry into the design and structure of primary research.
In addition, to the work of the HLIC, my Department and all of the state agencies have examined and assumed either a lead or collaborative role, as relevant, for all of the recommendations in Food Harvest 2020. Each of the key players will report on the level of progress achieved during the first quarter of 2011. These are examples of integrated cohesive action I am taking to ensure progressive implementation of all the recommendations.
