Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:156 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans for a medium and long-term plan for agriculture here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5059/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 18 February 2004
Ceisteanna (87)
Freagraí scríofa
I have always been aware of the need for long-term planning in the sector. In 2003, the fourth Department statement of strategy was published. The statement of strategy describes the environment, both internal and external, within which the Department operates and identifies the challenges ahead. It states our mission for the three years ahead, identifies the goals and strategies of the Department on a long-term basis and describes the evaluation and monitoring process culminating in an annual report. At a practical level, it forms the basis of all the divisional business plans of the Department that identify the specific actions that will be undertaken to implement the strategies contained in the document to develop and support the sector.
To further enhance the planning process, I formed the agri food 2010 committee in 1999 to advise me on the best long-term approach to be taken in the sector. That group presented what I believe was a detailed and coherent plan. In response to that committee's report my Department drew up an extensive plan of action. The vast majority of the recommendations from this plan of action have been implemented.
It is with a view to continuing the planning process for the long-term future of the agri food sector, with the changing internal and external environments, that I have established a new group to set out a vision for the agriculture and food sector over the coming decade. This new group referred to as the agri vision 2015 committee and has been asked to review the recommendations of the agri food 2010 report in the context of developments since the report was completed. This new group is broadly based and possesses a wide range of skills and experience. It is drawn from farming, the food industry, research, academia and the State agencies with a direct interest in the agriculture and food industries.