Farming Sector To Stimulate Economy

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has today launched a new agri-food sector strategy saying it has a major role to play in Ireland’s economic recovery.

Speaking at the launch of Food Harvest 2020 report, which proposes ambitious growth targets for the sector over the next ten years, Mr Cowen said future economic growth will be driven by exports of goods and services.

The report says that strong exports would stimulate activity and employment throughout the rest of the economy and that export led growth was a key element in the government's economic recovery.

The Taoiseach was speaking at the Department of Agriculture’s Laboratory Complex in Backweston Co Kildare at the launch of the report which refocuses the government's development of the agri-food, drinks, forestry and fisheries sector.

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.”

According to Mr Cowen, Food Harvest 2020 is 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 government's proposed "smart economy".

This morning, IFA President John Bryan welcomed the strategy and said Irish farmers are ready to play their part in grasping the real opportunities that have been identified for the sector.

Mr Bryan said the targets for export growth to €12bn and for primary output to increase in value by €1.5bn are achievable and the appropriate policy and competitive economic environment must be created by the government to realise the industry’s full potential.

The IFA President said: “The cornerstone of the 2020 Strategy is to increase production at producer level across all sectors. Government support in assisting competitiveness and supporting vital farm schemes, is critical for this to happen.”

John Bryan said external factors such as a well-funded CAP post-2013 must be put in place, and concessions from trade deals that would damage primary production must be resisted, in order for the objectives to be met.

(DW/KMcA)