Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
369. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the agri-food sector to continue to meet the highest possible levels of output and at the same time meeting compliance standards in carbon reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51913/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the new stakeholder strategy for the Irish agri-food sector, Food Vision 2030, with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, and Ministerial colleagues Minister of State Pippa Hackett and Martin Heydon earlier this year..
Food Vision 2030 sets the ambition that, “Ireland will become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) over the next decade. This will deliver significant benefits for the Irish agri-food sector itself, for Irish society and the environment. In demonstrating the Irish agri-food sector meets the highest standards of sustainability – economic, environmental, and social – this will also provide the basis for the future competitive advantage of the sector. By adopting an integrated food systems approach, Ireland will seek to become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems, producing safe, nutritious, and high-value food that tastes great, while protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural resources and contributing to vibrant rural and coastal communities and the national economy”.
To achieve that ambition, Food Vision provides a strategic framework for the sector and recommends over 200 actions under 22 goals, guided by four high-level missions:
- A Climate Smart, Environmentally Sustainable Agri-Food Sector
- Viable and Resilient Primary Producers with Enhanced Well-Being
- Food that is safe, nutritious and appealing: trusted and valued at home and abroad
- An Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Agri-Food Sector, driven by Technology and Talent.
Food Vision 2030 sets challenging environmental goals, including becoming a climate-neutral food system by 2050, with verifiable progress achieved by 2030, encompassing emissions reductions, carbon sequestration, air, biodiversity and water quality.
At the same time Food Vision targets that Irish agri-food can achieve increased value-addition and exports of €21 billion by 2030, built on sustainable steady value growth.
The achievement of the missions and goals of Food Vision will be challenging but I am committed to working with the sector and am putting in place a robust monitoring and implementation process to facilitate progress, encompassing the wide range of public and private activities.
