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Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021

Tuesday, 7 December 2021

Ceisteanna (656, 657)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

656. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new beef sector forum will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59949/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

657. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give consideration to how food processors and retailers can be more involved in reports carried out by any new beef forum; his views on whether this will provide improved data for future planning within this sector; when the establishment of this forum will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59963/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 657 together.

I was very pleased to recently publish the report of the Chair of the Beef Taskforce. The report clearly sets out that the group satisfied its remit in monitoring and progressing the implementation of the actions agreed by stakeholders in the beef sector agreement of 15th September 2019. The TaskForce had a dedicated and diligent independent chair; and I fully accepted his further recommendation that we need ongoing stakeholder engagement on the key strategic issues facing the sector.

Preparations are currently under way to establish this new forum and further details will be announced in due course. I was pleased to receive reports of strong engagement by stakeholders across the supply chain with the work of the Beef Taskforce and I look forward to this constructive engagement continuing in the context of the new forum.

Ensuring there is a long-term, sustainable and viable future for our suckler and beef farmers is a key priority of mine as Minister. This new sectoral forum will take a strategic view of supporting the development of the sector and contribute to our over arching objective of our Food Vision 2030 strategy, that Ireland will become a world leader in sustainable food systems over the next decade.

Question No. 657 answered with Question No. 656.
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