Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1153. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to ensure the development of community-based local food growing strategies, given strategies such as these have many benefits including physical, mental health and educational gains and to assist in biodiversity and environmental commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1232/24]
View answerBoth the Programme for Government and Food Vision 2030 acknowledge and underline the importance of our food producers, particularly our farmers and fishers, in the development of community-based local food growing strategies.
Responsibility for the development of community-based local food growing strategies lies across a number of Departments.
My Department in conjunction with Bord Bia held a webinar in 2022 on the supports available for local, small, micro food business and producers at which Cork City Council gave a presentation on the day highlighting the supports provided by the local authority to markets, green spaces for health, allotments and community gardens.
My Department will engage further with the Department of Housing and Local Government (DOHLG), who has responsibility for the local authorities to progress these supports and will also be engaging with the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) on any plans they may have under their remit for developing, coordinating and implementing a coherent and integrated approach to local and community development
Support is also available to local, small food producers and communities from my Department in a variety of ways.
-The Rural Innovation and Development Fund, includes an agri-food tourism initiative. This funding provides opportunities for rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans, to develop their products and services and connect with the community and visitors.
-In addition, the Government approved the CAP Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 which will deliver €9.8 billion over its lifetime and will provide vital support to farmers and rural communities. The LEADER Programme is a key element of the new plan and will continue to have an important role in supporting small food producers.
-In August last year my Department issued a call for the promotion of Organic Schemes in Ireland. Criteria for proposals under Axis 2 included actions to support the organisation of the food chain and reinforce local and small-value processing and foster short trade circuit. Proposals also required the consideration and application of production methods that do not damage the environment.
I am satisfied that the supports provided by my Department and through the collaboration with DRCD and DOHLG there is a sound basis for the future development of both our agri-food sector and the development of community-based local food growing strategies.
