Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
646. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Teagasc has an official role in advising him regarding the National CAP Strategic Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59874/21]
View answerTeagasc has a key role in advising my Department on all aspects of agriculture as part of its function as a state research and advisory body.
As regards the CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027, Teagasc is represented on the national CAP Stakeholder Consultative Committee, and provides valuable input through this forum. The Committee comprises representatives of the main stakeholders including farm bodies, NGO’s, industry representatives and academia, as well as the relevant Government Departments and agencies. The Committee has met on more than 25 occasions since its inception.
In addition to this formal structure, there is ongoing bilateral engagement with Teagasc by Department officials, to ensure the utilisation of best practice, latest research and modelling to inform the development of the Plan. Teagasc has also provided input to the environmental assessment of the draft Plan.
The role of the advisory services will also be critical to the effective implementation of the Plan. One of the Plan's cross-cutting objectives is the modernisation and digitisation of the sector, including through increased knowledge sharing and innovation, via new so-called Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS). This will require a strong and coherent advisory service, in which Teagasc will play a central role.
