Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss the Future of the Beef Sector

18 Feabh 2019, 12:34

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine will meet tomorrow to discuss the Future of the Beef Sector in the context of Food Wise 2025 with Officials from The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Food Wise 2025 sets out a ten year plan for the agri-food sector. It underlines the sector’s unique and special position within the Irish economy, and it illustrates the potential which exists for this sector to grow even further.

The Committee has particular interest in the opportunities identified by the DAFM. Food Wise 2025 identifies significant growth opportunities across all subsectors of the Irish agri-food industry.

Cumulatively, it projects exports have the potential to grow to €19bn per annum in value by 2025, a figure that would represent an 85% increase from the current three-year average. This export growth will be driven chiefly by expansion in dairy, beef, seafood and consumer food and drinks exports.

Ahead of the meeting, Agriculture Committee Chair, Pat Deering TD said: “The strengths and weaknesses of the beef sector will be discussed, along with future opportunities, and it is hoped that that the information provided by DAFM in this regard will assist the Committee in assessing if the goal of increasing exports to €19bn per annum is achievable, with a public consultation to follow.”

The information gathered from submissions resulting from the public consultation, along with any additional information which arises from the Committee’s engagements with witnesses, will be analysed and used to inform the Committee’s report on this topic.

Deputy  Deering added: “The ultimate aims of the report will be to illustrate the viability, or otherwise, of the beef sector in the pursuance of the goal of increasing exports as set out in Food Wise 2025 and to provide recommendations which will assist in strengthening the beef sector as a whole. This will be done through a detailed investigation of the information received by DAFM. “

The meeting will begin at 3.30pm in Committee Room 1, Leinster House. Watch the meeting live here https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-tv/cr1-live/

Barr
Roinn