Cathal Crowe
Question:367. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31855/23]
View answerThursday, 29 June 2023
Questions (367)
Written answers
The agri-food sector is Ireland’s largest indigenous exporting industry, playing a vital role in Ireland’s economy. The sector accounts for almost 7% of Gross National Income (GNI) and over 9% of exports in value terms. The sector employs almost 165,000 people, representing close to 7% of total employment in the country, but a far greater proportion in rural and coastal areas. Since becoming Minister in September 2020, my focus has been on the sustainable development of the sector for the benefit of our farmers, fishers, food producers and the Irish people generally. I want to see the sector grow and flourish in the years ahead and I am committed to putting it on an even more sustainable footing.
Since publication of the Programme for Government (PFG) in June 2020, my Department has identified and examined 161 actions in the Agriculture, Food, and the Marine chapter. My Department is the lead organisation in 148 of these actions, and is reporting 68% of those as either target achieved or substantial action undertaken & ongoing, with another 27% reported as commenced & progressing.
Some of my main policy achievements include:
• I launched Food Vision 2030, our shared stakeholder-led strategy for the continuing development of the agri-food sector in Ireland. I believe Food Vision is a landmark for the Irish agri-food sector with the potential to transform our agriculture, food, forestry and marine sectors in the period to 2030, with sustainability in all its dimensions (environmental, economic and social) at its core. The final reports of the Food Vision Dairy Group and Food Vision Beef & Sheep Group have been published and propose detailed direct and enabling measures to improve environmental sustainability in the sector. I recently established a Food Vision Tillage group and launched the first Food Vision Annual Report.
• Targeted supports of nearly €2 billion per annum are paid by my Department, including supports to assist and build resilience within the sector as it has been affected by Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• The CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 came into effect on 1 January 2023. This will deliver €9.8 billion in vital support to farmers and rural communities over the next five years, aiming to meet the twin objectives of ensuring the continued viability of family farms and maximising the environmental and social sustainability of the sector. It includes the new flagship Agri-environmental scheme called ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme), with over 46,000 applications received. While the expectation was that 30,000 contracts would be approved, I have decided to approve all eligible contracts. Young-trained farmers are a priority and receive support via the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers Scheme and a priority allocation of payment entitlements from the National Reserve.
• An Rialálaí Agraibhia will be a new independent statutory Office under the aegis of my Department with two main functions: a price and market analysis and reporting function, and a regulatory enforcement function concerning the enforcement of prohibited unfair trading practices. The Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill which establishes the new office is currently before the Seanad.
• The Forest Strategy and Forest Implementation Plan (Including the Forestry Programme 2023-2027) was launched for public consultation. Sanction has been secured for a package of €1.318 billion for forestry, which will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland, including farmers receiving an additional five years of payments. My Department is at present awaiting state aid approval for this programme.
• I established the Seafood Sector Taskforce to assess the implications of the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and, following its report, establish support measures in place as well as continuing a programme of capital works around our coast.
• I continue to work closely with all stakeholders in gaining, maintaining, restoring and enhancing access for Irish agri-food products to a wide range of priority markets. This includes participating in an ongoing programme of trade missions and promotional activities, in cooperation with Bord Bia.
• Ongoing improvements in animal health and welfare, ensuring the highest standards in the world are maintained in Ireland.
In the period ahead, I will continue to:
• Address environmental sustainability policy issues including climate, biodiversity and water quality;
• Address the economic viability of our farmers and fishers, putting them at the core of what we do;
• Ensure the ongoing development of the agri-food sector generally, including trade, food safety and animal health & welfare issues.