Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD today said that the agri-food sector had a major role to play in Ireland’s economic recovery.  He was speaking at the launch of Food Harvest 2020, a report which proposes ambitious growth targets for the sector over the next ten years.

“Our future economic growth will be driven by exports of goods and services which also stimulate activity and employment throughout the rest of the economy. There is no doubt that export led growth, with strong linkages to domestic economic activity, will be a key element in our economic recovery.  And this is exactly what the agri-food sector delivers to our economy,” the Taoiseach said.

The Taoiseach was speaking at the Department of Agriculture’s Laboratory Complex in Backweston Co Kildare at the launch of Food Harvest 2020, a medium term strategy for the development of the agri-food, drinks, forestry and fisheries sector. Food Harvest 2020 is a strategic vision designed to place the agri-food, fishing and forestry sector at the centre of the export led economic recovery and assure its full contribution to the smart economy.  

The Taoiseach said that “I pledge the full support of my Government for the effort to realise the vision in this report. I have asked Minister Brendan Smith to personally lead the implementation process for Food Harvest 2020 and to ensure a fully joined-up and integrated Government response.” 

The report was developed by the 30 member 2020 Committee, established last February by Brendan Smith TD, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, under the chairmanship of Dr Sean Brady.  The committee included senior figures from all areas of the very diverse agri-food sector.

Speaking at the same event, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD said “The title of the report, “Food Harvest 2020”, neatly encapsulates the Committee’s conviction that this sector can deliver real returns and be at the forefront of our economic recovery.  If we make the correct decisions now, then the harvest will indeed be great.”

The report’s 209 recommendations provide a cohesive roadmap for the industry to build capacity and adapt to challenge. More importantly, it sets the scene for the sector to actively capitalise on the opportunities available to it from significant global population growth and greater access to international markets and the ending of EU milk quotas in 2015. 

Smith said “The Committee has shown that Ireland can grow its exports of food and beverages by over 40% to €12 billion annually. We can increase the value of primary production by our farmers and fishermen by €1.5 billion and value added in processing by €3 billion.  The ending of milk quotas in 2015 represents an exceptional opportunity to grow our milk output by an estimated 50%.”  He noted that the to achieve these goals, the Committee sets out a vision based on “Smart, Green Growth”

“I am confident the industry can achieve these ambitious targets if we all ‘act smart’, ‘think green’ and actively work in a positive and collaborative fashion.”

The Committee Chairman elaborated on the two key pillars of the growth strategy for the sector:  “Smart  – that means being innovative, investing in research, focusing on what the consumer wants, applying lean manufacturing techniques and ensuring we have the scale at every level to maximise our cost competitiveness.

Secondly we must be green.  We must build in a meaningful way on our green image to scientifically prove, and then market, the environmental sustainability of our food production systems.  This is a key competitive advantage for us if we can prove to our international customers that we really are more sustainable than other potential suppliers.”

Turing to the issues of implementation, the Taoiseach said that “Together we can ensure that the vision and ambition set out in this report is fully achieved and the sector’s potential contribution to our economic, environmental and social well being is fully realised. To achieve these targets, my colleague Minister Brendan Smith is establishing a high-level group, which he will chair, to ensure effective, joined-up implementation.” Smith stressed that this small, high-level group will consider, prioritise and drive the actions necessary to realise the full potential of the sector and ensure the continued development of this key indigenous sector with huge potential.

No copy of the report was linked to from either the websites of the Departments of the Taoiseach or the Department of Agriculture, at the time of posting this report - -  so much for the blather on the 'smart economy'!

Updated: Food Harvest 2020 - A vision for Irish agri-food and fisheries (pdf)

Finfacts article, Sept 2009: Ireland: A "smart" economy in food better than pie-in-the-sky aspirations?