Agriculture Committee hears from Bord Bia and Irish Dairy Board on Food Harvest 2020 targets

16 October 2012

Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, is a state agency which links Irish food, drink and horticulture suppliers with existing and potential customers throughout the world. The Irish Dairy Board co-operative, which reported a turnover of €1.9bn in 2010, is Ireland’s largest exporter of dairy products. Food Harvest 2020 sets out a vision for smart, green  and sustainable growth for the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors.

Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD says: “Last week, we heard a series of informative and thought-provoking presentations from food producer representatives on Food Harvest 2020. Today we had an opportunity to hear from marketeers of Ireland’s dairy and food products, who outlined their vision for developing markets for Irish produce worldwide. With strong global demand for food and dairy produce, which is currently outstripping supply, we heard that the ambitious targets to increase production are achievable. The Irish Dairy Board (IDB), which accounts for 60 percent of all Irish dairy exports, outlined their work in developing markets across the world, through Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and Eastern Asia and Latin America.

“Committee Members explored with the witnesses what policy decisions are required to bolster the competitiveness of the sector and ensure that the export targets are reached. The IDB representatives explained that state incentives are required to expand production facilities in the dairy sector, which is currently operating at capacity. The theme of ‘co-opetition’ was mentioned by both groups in their presentations. Irish food producers are relatively small players on a global scale and undoubtedly need to recognise the value of strategic engagement with each other to secure new markets.  An example of such collaboration is Bord Bia’s expanded office facility in Shanghai, which houses six Irish companies from different sectors sharing knowledge and resources in forging new markets.\"

“Bord Bia representatives outlined the development of the ‘Origin Green’ programme, designed to help Ireland become a world leader in sustainably produced food.  The Committee heard of the ground-breaking initiative by Bord Bia, in conjunction with Teagasc, to assess the environmental performance of farms nationwide. 29,000 Irish family farms, constituting 91 percent of Bord Bia’s Beef Quality Assurance Scheme, have participated in the survey, which provides a unique selling point for Irish beef and helps farmers reduce costs by minimising their carbon footprint. The Committee is encouraged that the family farm, so central to agriculture in Ireland, provides a key component to this sustainable model.

“On foot of our discussions, the Committee will now report to the Minister on our findings on the current status of Food Harvest 2020 and what further policy actions will be required for the targets to be achieved. Along with the engagement with food producer representatives last week, the Committee has gained a clearer idea how the Food Harvest 2020 targets can be reached. We are particularly aware of the hurdles to be overcome – in the production, processing and marketing of Irish food - and these challenges will be highlighted in our submission.”

Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie

Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Membership

Deputies:     
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Pat Deering, Fine Gael
Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin
 Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael
 Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
 Colm Keaveney, Labour
 Michael McNamara, Labour
Eamon Ó Cuiv, Fianna Fáil
Thomas Pringle, Independent

Senators:     
Michael Comiskey, Fine Gael
Paschal Mooney, Fianna Fáil
Pat O’Neill, Fine Gael
Mary Ann O’Brien, Independent
Brian Ó Domhnaill, Fianna Fáil
Susan O’Keeffe, Labour