Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2017
481. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether achieving the objectives of Food Harvest 2020 is impossible, particularly in the dairy sector in view of EU demands on climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50029/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland we are fortunate that there is a broad consensus between Government, farmers and industry in terms of the strategic direction of the agri-food sector; in terms of addressing the challenges it faces and taking advantage of the opportunities for Ireland as a top class producer of quality agri-food produce.
This vision has been formally set out in successive sector agreed blueprints for the overall Agri-Food sector, the two most recent being Food Harvest 2020 and Food Wise 2025.
The key target for the dairy sector in Food Harvest 2020 was to achieve a 50% increase in production by 2020 over the baseline of the 2007-2009 average. This target was shaped in the context of prospective quota abolition in 2015. It is likely that Ireland will achieve this Food Harvest 2020 target well ahead of schedule, driven by strong milk production growth in the post quota period.
Irish dairy farming sits alongside the best in the world in terms of food safety, traceability fundamentals and sustainable farming methods. Initiatives such as Origin Green and the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme allow Ireland to demonstrably verify the sustainability credentials of the sector. The focus which such initiatives bring to bear on issues such as animal welfare, and care of the environment, has allowed us to create a competitive advantage in the ongoing development of a strong export-focused agri-food economy, including dairy.
Both Food Harvest 2020 and Food Wise 2025 were shaped and informed by a commitment to environmental sustainability. Food Wise rightly states that "environmental protection and economic competitiveness are equal and complementary: one will not be achieved at the expense of the other". While obviously challenging, my Department, State agencies and the sector as a whole, are committed to that vision of sustainable growth, and are working to achieve it through implementation of the Food Wise sustainability recommendations and the Rural Development Programme agri-environmental supports.
