Catherine Murphy
Question:1243. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on recent progress with the Food Vision Strategy. [1080/24]
View answerWednesday, 17 January 2024
Questions (1243)
Written answers
Food Vision 2030 is our shared strategy for the continuing development of the agri-food sector in Ireland, developed for the sector by the sector. 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 at its core.
I am committed to leading on Food Vision as we seek to deliver on our environmental, economic and social sustainability ambitions. I established a High Level Implementation Committee and have already chaired nine meetings, where we have examined a wide range of issues. I am pleased to say that implementation of Food Vision 2030 is well underway, with many of its actions commenced. The implementation process allows us to monitor process, examine areas where progress is not being made and to adjust as appropriate.
Progress to date includes important work on environmental sustainability in the dairy and beef sectors, through specific stakeholder Groups. Both Groups submitted reports and many of the recommendations from these are now included in the Climate Action Plan 2023, with others integrated generally into policy. The Groups will continue to meet to progress these and other important actions for the dairy, beef and sheep sectors set out in Food Vision 2030. A Food Vision 2030 Tillage Group was established earlier this year, highlighting the significant role the tillage sector plays in Ireland’s food and feed security and the ambition to grow the tillage area.
The first Food Vision Annual Report detailing progress was published in May 2023 (gov.ie - Food Vision 2030 - A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems (www.gov.ie). In terms of overall progress to date, 14 actions are complete, 108 actions have substantial action undertaken, 92 actions have commenced and are progressing, and 4 actions have not yet commenced. Among the key achievements outlined are the development of Sustainability Plans for the Dairy and Beef Sectors, as already mentioned; the work of the Seafood Sector Taskforce; the publication of Ireland’s Forest Strategy 2023 – 2030; the publication of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan; Ireland’s participation in the UN Food Systems Summit; the development of a new strategy for the horticulture sector; the launch of a new flagship environmental scheme, ACRES; the publication of Ireland’s first National Bioeconomy Action Plan for the period 2023-2025; and the hosting of the first National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture. The second Food Vision 2030 Annual Report detailing progress is due to be published in Q2 2024.
I believe Food Vision provides a vision 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.