I and my officials were centrally involved in the examination of submissions made by the various stakeholders to the request for comments and input on the National Reform Plan submitted by Ireland to the EU Commission in the context of the EU 2020 strategy for recovery and growth.
Secondly, in regard to the agricultural sector specifically, the Food Harvest 2020 strategy, our blueprint for smart, green growth in the agri-food sector to 2020, although facilitated by my Department, was developed and led by the industry in association with stakeholders.
The strategy contains 215 recommendations and has set a series of ambitious growth targets to be achieved by 2020. There has been significant and widespread buy-in to the strategy from all the stakeholders and it has been incorporated as part of our national plan for economic recovery.
I am determined to work with all of the relevant shareholders to ensure the targets are achieved and those working in the sector can be assured of my commitment to work with them to create the conditions and environment within which the sector can prosper, deliver the Food Harvest 2020 targets and realise its full potential.
This includes ensuring the appropriate EU and international policy frameworks within which the strategy can be achieved. I am very conscious of the need for a strong and well-resourced CAP in the future based on the twin goals of competitiveness and sustainability. I am also conscious of the need for balance in our trade relations. Ireland is a small open economy and our future success is predicated upon our ability to grow our exports. In this respect, I want to see a balanced outcome to the WTO negotiations that does not undermine EU and Irish agriculture. I also want to ensure our approach to international trade is balanced between our offensive and defensive interests and that we do not sacrifice EU or Irish agricultural interests in our pursuit of bilateral agreements with our trading partners.
