Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
1691. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the data with respect to progress on attaining baseline targets set down for the agrifood sector and in each sector available by the Food Harvest 2020 strategy regarding new jobs to be created, primary output, exports levels and value added; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28465/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1692. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the data with respect to progress on attaining baseline targets set down for the agrifood sector and in each sector where available by the Food Wise 2025 strategy in relation to new jobs to be created, primary output, exports levels and value added [28466/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1691 and 1692 together.
The main targets set out in the Food Harvest report published in 2010 were, by 2020, to increase the value of primary output by 33% and agrifood exports by 40% (both from a 2007-09 average baseline); and to increase value added production by 40% (from a 2008 baseline). In addition to these value increases, the dairy industry targeted a 50% increase in milk production by 2020, to be progressed following the abolition of milk quotas in April 2016.
Progress on those targets was monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis. The fourth annual report “Milestones for Success 2014”, published in September 2014, showed that the sector had achieved very significant progress on these targets and illustrated the manner in which the Food Harvest 2020 vision of ‘smart, green, growth’ is being attained. The latest data available show growth of 36% for both primary production and exports (based on 2016 data), and 47% for value added (latest available data 2014), versus the baseline period.
Food Wise 2025, the new ten year strategy for the agrifood sector published in July 2015, is the successor to the Food Harvest strategy. It identifies the opportunities and challenges facing the sector and provides an enabling strategy that will allow the sector to grow and prosper. Food Wise includes more than 400 specific recommendations, spread across the cross-cutting themes of sustainability, innovation, human capital, market development and competitiveness; as well as specific sectorial recommendations.
If these recommendations are implemented, the expert committee which drew up the Food Wise 2025 Strategy believes that the following growth projections are achievable by 2025: increasing the value of agrifood exports by 85% to €19 billion; increasing value added in the sector by 70% to in excess of €13 billion; and increasing the value of primary production by 65% to almost €10 billion. With regard to employment, Food Wise foresees the creation of 23,000 additional jobs in the agrifood sector all along the supply chain from primary production to high value added product development. Realising these growth projections will be challenging, but I am confident that they can be achieved.
In July last year, I launched the first annual progress report of Food Wise 2025: Steps to Success 2016. Food Wise Steps to Success showed that, of the 330 detailed actions which were due to commence in 2015 or 2016, 28% have been achieved or substantial action has been undertaken; and a further 67% have commenced and are progressing well. I believe that this is a good start and I will press on to get as many actions as possible completed within the next year.
Next month, I will launch the second annual progress report of Food Wise 2025: Steps to Success 2017.
