Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 March 2022
150. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an analysis of the cost savings in terms of the environmental impact for agrifood producers, especially fruit and vegetable providers, based in Ireland rather than importing products from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16857/22]
View answerThere is currently no environmental impact or life cycle analysis of the costs associated with importing fruit and vegetables compared to domestic production.
However, the Deputy may be aware that my colleague Minister of State Pippa Hackett commissioned a report on the horticulture sector last October. The need for such a life cycle analysis - for the multiple fruits and vegetables that we currently grow in Ireland - was identified as part of the work undertaken by KPMG and my officials to prepare that report.
This current gap in our knowledge is something which the Department is keen to address as part of the work associated with developing and implementing a strategy to maintain and grow a financially and environmentally sustainable horticulture sector.
