Group to drive R&D in food sector

AN INDUSTRY-LED group to drive the research agenda in food and underpin the development of the Irish food industry has been set up by the Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.

It will be chaired by Dan Browne of Dawn Meats Group and comprise of key personnel from the food and drinks industry, the relevant state agencies and research institutes.

Ms Coughlan said research was seen as a key contributor to building a knowledge-based, competitive, innovative, and consumer focused agri-food sector.

The group being set up will play an important role in ensuring the funds allocated to research result in optimum benefit for the food industry and the consumer in terms of quality, food safety and innovation.

She said it will provide advice on high level priorities for research under her department’s food research initiatives.

It will also act as the Irish platform for interacting with and contributing an Irish view to the European Technology Platform and EU Framework Research Programme.

Ms Coughan told the recent Agricultural Science conference in Trim, Co Meath, that industry involvement in R&D is central to the future of the sector: “Industry has always accepted the challenge of innovation and must continue to do so. It is no coincidence that our major players in the agri-food sector were those who were not afraid to invest in the future through research.”