Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
547. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Bord Bia’s remit includes the promotion of Irish tillage farmers, and their inclusion in Origin Green; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23114/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the promotion of cereals falls under the functions of Bord Bia and as such is an operational matter for Bord Bia.
A vibrant and sustainable tillage sector is central to increasing Ireland’s food and feed security while also contributing to climate change objectives. Maintaining the current tillage area with an ambition for further growth is therefore an important strategic objective of my Department. This is highlighted in the Food Vision 2030 Strategy and more recently in the Climate Action Plan where a target has been set to grow the area under tillage crops to 400,000ha by 2030.
To achieve this objective I recently established the Food Vision 2030 Tillage Group and I hosted its first meeting on Thursday 11th May 2023. This group, which includes Bord Bia, will bring together all relevant stakeholders to set out a roadmap for the sustainable growth and development of the sector to 2030. A related Food Vision action is that stakeholders will consider aligning the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme (IGAS) with Origin Green and this is a matter that can be explored by Bord Bia together with the stakeholders. I have tasked the group with providing a detailed plan and recommendations by the end of July with a final plan to be submitted during the final quarter of 2023.
