Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
964. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider, in conjunction with Teagasc and other independent farm advisors, conducting a review of the current Irish vegetable exports area, given that vegetable imports which could be grown successfully here are increasing as Irish growers exit the horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48805/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. This stakeholder led Strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a roadmap for the sector to achieve this potential.
The Strategy is underpinned by eight Key Strategic Actions with an ambition to achieve an increase in growth of 30% in the farm gate value of the sector from €529 million in 2022 to €688 million by the end of 2027.
Key Strategy Action 6, Better data and information for better insights, seeks to identify opportunities for growth in the sector and to inform policy. The focus of this action is to collect data to assess the potential opportunities for Irish horticulture, facilitate an analysis of import substitution, export potential and diversification opportunities. The collection and analysis of this data will help to inform policy and will assist in leveraging growth and innovation in the sector.
I am committed to seeing this sector grow and flourish in the years ahead and my Department, together with stakeholders, are working collaboratively to progress all actions in this strategy.
