Investment in R&D key to evolution of food industry, says Smith

THE critical importance of investment in research and development (R&D) is key to the development of the Irish food industry Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Brendan Smith has said.

Mr Smith described the agri-food sector as Ireland’s most important indigenous sector, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout every county, at both producer and processor levels.

“The industry is vital to our economic future, particularly at this time, in terms of employment, value-added and export earnings. The industry is, undoubtedly, facing challenges but has demonstrated its resilience and capacity to adapt to competitive challenges in the past and to build business in emerging and changing markets,” Mr Smith added.