Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 July 2021
36. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine her views on supporting agri-food development in rural and regional Ireland as a building block to sustainable community development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27886/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the matter for which details have been supplied has been the subject of legal proceedings and, therefore, I do not propose to comment on that specific case.
However, I would like to outline the current and forthcoming actions and supports to ensure the continued development and prosperity of the agri-food sector in the decade ahead and supporting our rural and coastal economies.
The Irish agri-food sector is Ireland’s oldest and largest indigenous industry. In 2020, the sector accounted for almost 7% of GNI and 9% of exports in value terms. It employs approximately 163,600 people, representing 7.1% of total employment. Outside of Dublin and the mid-east region, the sector provides between 10% and 14% of employment. Primary producers are at the heart of the agri-food system. Along with the other elements of the sector, including our dynamic and innovative food and drink industry, they make a vital contribution to sustainable community development.
A new ten-year Agri-Food Strategy to 2030, due to be published shortly, will out a strong vision for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector in the decade ahead. The development of the new Strategy is a key commitment of the Programme for Government and of the Government's rural development policy, “Our Rural Future 2021 to 2025”.
I also recently published the Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 alongside an Action Plan for 2021, which outlines 75 actions to further develop a sustainable, innovative and competitive agri-food, forestry and seafood sector.
In the context of the agri-food sector’s contribution to rural and regional Ireland, it is also worth noting that the Department makes direct payments to Irish farmers of almost €1.9 billion annually, under CAP and national schemes. In addition, it funds research, advisory and training supports which directly benefit Irish farmers, and, along with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, co-funds a number of preferential loan schemes to the benefit of primary producers. Farmers also benefit significantly from a range of agri-taxation measures, which are particularly focused to support land mobility and generational renewal.
