Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
535. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his EU colleagues expect the EU food-producing sectors to contribute to world food production in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6871/14]
View answerOverall, the EU 27 is a mature food producing market with a reasonable balance between food production and consumption. As can be seen from the OECD- FAO food production forecasts for the period 2013-2022 table beneath, a significant increase in production is not anticipated over the next decade.
OECD FAO 2013-2022 Supply Balance Forecasts
|
% Volume Growth per annum |
Wheat |
Beef |
Sheep |
Pigmeat |
Butter |
Cheese |
Skim Milk Powder |
Whole Milk Powder |
|
EU 27 Production |
0.66% |
0.20% |
-1.48% |
0.32% |
0.66% |
0.52% |
0.89% |
-0.05% |
|
EU 27 Consumption |
0.83% |
0.37% |
-1.17% |
0.32% |
0.56% |
0.37% |
0.29% |
0.23% |
However, these aggregate figures can mask variations within individual countries. Ireland is a case in point, where there are very definite plans to increase production and where strategies are in place to expand both the value and volume of exports and to access new markets. Food Harvest 2020 sets out a roadmap to achieve a 50% increase in milk production, a 78% increase in aquaculture production as well increasing the value of primary output in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by 33%; its value added component by 40% and the value of food and drink exports by 42%.
Progress on these targets is monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis by the Food Harvest 2020 High Level Implementation Committee , which I chair. Strong industry support and buy-in for the Food Harvest vision has been achieved with a significant pipeline of industry investment in processing and innovation in train. At primary level, farmers have shown an increased focus on efficiency and sustainability and are gearing up for increased milk production once the quota system is removed next year. Progress to date augers well for the achievement of FH2020 targets as the sector has achieved growth in excess of 33% (primary production- CSO 2013 advance estimate), 20% (value-added- CSO 2011 data ) and 24% (exports-Bord Bia 2013 data) compared to the baseline period.
The FAO forecasts that world’s population will be over 9 billion in 2050, with up to 70% of the world’s population living in urban conglomerations with greatly increased income and calorie consumption levels. To feed this changed population, food production (net of biofuels) must increase by 60% to 70% over the next 40 years. As a food producing and exporting country, Ireland is positioning itself to meet this increasing global demand for food. On the supply side the sector is increasing its investment and production efficiency levels while opportunities for increased exports are arising from trade and investment missions combined with technical and diplomatic efforts to open new markets and trade areas.
