I propose to take Questions Nos. 178, 185, 189 and 190 together.
One of the major steps which I have taken to progress the food producing sector has been the development this year of Food Harvest 2020. This sets out the strategic vision for the sector, the actions to be taken, and the targets which the agrifood and fishing sector should achieve to assist the national export led recovery. Food Harvest 2020 is the Government's comprehensive roadmap for the sector. It was developed by an industry–led committee and its content reflects their wide ranging expertise underpinned by comprehensive analysis from my Department, relevant State Bodies, the input of the Harvard Business School and senior farming and food industry figures.
The key focus of Food Harvest 2020 is to show how the industry can capitalise on the expanding market opportunities. These opportunities arise from the actual and projected increase in food demand due to rising world population and increasing wealth, matched with our ability to produce high quality products using environmentally sustainable production methods.
A global increase in demand for food will inevitably follow the current surge in world population, which is forecast to reach 8 billion by 2025. Growth in demand for dairy produce is likely to be a particularly strong element of this growth due to rising global incomes. This is very opportune and presents a very real opportunity for our dairy sector. The ending of EU milk quotas in 2015, presents the sector with a once in a lifetime opportunity to significantly grow our milk output, to achieve a step-change in the scale of our dairy sector and capitalise on the significant cost advantage we have in our environmentally sustainable grass-based production system.
Food Harvest 2020 sets out a number of growth targets to be attained, the principal ones include the following:
Increasing the value of primary output of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by €1.5 billion. This represents a 33% increase compared to the 2007-2009 average.
Improving the value added in the sector by €3 billion. This is a 40% increase compared to 2008.
Achieving an export target of €12 billion for the sector which is a 42% increase compared to the 2007-2009 average,
Increasing milk production by 50%;
Adding 20% to the value of the beef sector.
In addition, Food Harvest 2020 points out the need to improve cost competitiveness by 20%, relative to our competitors and the necessity to double the industry spend on R&D.
This detailed strategy provides over 200 recommendations and suggestions on which Government, State Bodies and private enterprise must actively collaborate and implement in order to achieve the above targets. My answer to the combined Parliamentary Question 45039/10, for answer today, gives details on the progress which I have already made on its implementation.
The increased output identified in Food Harvest 2020 has the potential to increase net employment by some 3,500 in the food sector with a further 3,000 jobs in the seafood sector. In the latter industry, increased employment is expected from aquaculture production and value- added branded production assisted by the Seafood Development Centre. In addition, increased self employment is expected from the small food companies, artisan and food tourism businesses. Currently, these micro food businesses are too small to feature in CSO employment surveys but these indigenous and mostly rural based businesses are a current and future potential source of expanding rural employment and innovation.
The Government has consistently supported the growth and development of the agrifood and fisheries sector and a continuation of the proactive implementation of the recommendations of Food Harvest 2020 will ensure that this indigenous sector makes a significant contribution to the national export led economic recovery.