Micheál Martin
Question:349. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make a statement on Food Harvest 2020. [12887/14]
View answerTuesday, 6 May 2014
Questions (349)
Written answers
The Food Harvest 2020 (FH2020) report provided a road map and direction for the agri-food sector up to 2020. It set stretch targets to be achieved by primary producers, by industry and by exporters and also included over 200 actions to be implemented by all the key stakeholders. Its headline targets were to increase by 2020 the value of:
- Primary output in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by 33%;
- Value added production by 40%;
- Agriculture, food (including seafood) and drink exports by 42%;
In addition, a 50% increase in milk production and a 78% increase in the volume of aquaculture production was envisaged.
Implementation of this report is driven by the High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC), which I chair and which also involves the chief executives of the main state bodies. In addition, the HLIC engages with the agri-food related commitments in the Action Plan for Jobs to provide cohesive direction and focus for the sector.
Annual progress reports on progress are produced, the 3rd and latest being Milestones for Success 2013. On its headline targets, the current position is that the sector has achieved growth in value in excess of 33% for primary production (CSO 2013 advance estimate), 20% in gross value-added output (CSO 2011 data ) and a 24% increase in the value of exports (Bord Bia 2013 data) compared to the baseline period. In addition to noting progress on the main sectoral targets, the 215 recommendations in FH2020 and advance benchmarks set in 2010, the Milestones for Success report (http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/agri-foodindustry/foodharvest2020/Milestones2013110913.pdf) also documented progress on achievements under a range of other initiatives for the sustainable development of the agri-food and fisheries sector. These included improved policy environment outcomes, industry investment, SME credit facilities and case studies on improved competitiveness, sustainability, collaborative working, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The result of this sustained focus on the ‘Smart’, ‘Green’ themes in Food Harvest 2020 is that the agri-food and fishing industry has grown in size and importance. It now plays a very significant role in national economic development, providing the primary employment for 175,300 people or 9.2% of total employment, 12.3% of all merchandise exports and 23% of all industry turnover.
Further opportunities exist to increase our exports to countries such as China, Africa, South East Asia and the Middle East and there will be opportunities arising for increased market access from the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements. I therefore believe that the agri-food and fisheries sector is well placed to meet the Food Harvest targets, and to continue to make a substantial contribution to Ireland’s export-led economic recovery.