Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether food production policy in Ireland needs to be revised given the recent report by an organisation (details supplied) on the state of food security and nutrition in the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38602/22]
View answerThe 2022 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report underpins the stark reality on the escalating number of people worldwide who face hunger every day. The latest figures show an increase of 150 million people in 2019 to a staggering level of 829 million people at the end of 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, conflict and the increasing cost of fuel, fertiliser and feeding-stuff are all impact negatively on the global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 target of Zero Hunger by 2030. This distressing level of hunger will inevitably get worse as a result of the illegal Russian war on Ukraine, its use of food as a weapon, the targeting of food facilities and the blockading of grain exports in the Black Sea.
The UN Food Systems Summit, in which I participated last year, affirmed that foods system hold the power to realise our shared vision for a better world without global hunger, poverty and inequality.
I am committed to pursuing a sustainable food systems approach both in relation both to Ireland’s own agri-food system, and also to my Department’s international development cooperation efforts.
Food Vision 2030 is the strategy for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector. Both the strategy and its recently published implementation plan, have missions and goals aligned with specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets.
Food Vision 2030 sets an ambition that Ireland will become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade. The strategy was developed by a stakeholder committee, taking a food systems approach, and recognising the importance of the economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainability.
Food Vision 2030 sets out four high-level Missions for the sector to work towards:
1. A Climate Smart, Environmentally Sustainable Agri-Food Sector
2. Viable and Resilient Primary Producers with Enhanced Well-Being
3. Food that is Safe, Nutritious And Appealing, Trusted And Valued at Home and Abroad
4. An Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Agri-Food Sector, Driven by Technology And Talent
Each of these missions is well thought out, with ambitious goals rooted in a strongly practical approach to what needs to be achieved.
I am leading on the implementation of Food Vision which is already underway, with many of its actions commenced. I have chaired three meetings of the Food Vision 2030 High Level Implementation Committee which will provide leadership in progressing the missions and actions set out in the Food Vision strategy.
I believe Food Vision 2030 provides a pathway for a dynamic, sustainable and innovative agri-food sector ready to adapt and to embrace change for a more sustainable future.
I am confident that, with Food Vision 2030 as a strategic framework, Ireland’s agri-food sector will achieve its ambition to become a world leader in sustainable food systems.
