The National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy, published in March 2018, outlined Ireland's ambition to be a global leader in the bioeconomy. To facilitate the necessary cross-Government policy implementation, the Government established a high level Bioeconomy Implementation Group, jointly chaired by my Department, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The National Policy Statement mandated the Implementation Group to establish a Bioeconomy Forum to liaise with the relevant industry and State bodies, and community groups, across bioeconomy relevant sectors. The Implementation Group has agreed on the role of the Bioeconomy Forum, which will aim to facilitate the development of bioeconomy sectors to provide the full range of economic, environmental and societal benefits, advocate sustainable practice, and provide a link between the Implementation Group and relevant stakeholders. The Implementation Group will serve the Forum in an advisory and consultative capacity.
The BioEconomy Forum was launched during National Bioeconomy Week in October 2020. My Department is now working closely with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm a Chair for the Forum, invite and structure Forum membership, and allocate appropriate staff and resources to support the Chair in the design and delivery of a work programme. The Forum will help underpin effective and informed cross-Government strategic policy to develop Ireland's bioeconomy.