Walshe says Irish agriculture can benefit from British opportunities
He was responding to the launch of the British government’s food strategy, Food 2030, which Environment, Food and Rural Affairs secretary Hilary Benn launched at the Oxford Farming Conference earlier this week.
Mr Walshe said policymakers in Britain and across the developed world have begun to realise that food supply can no longer be taken for granted. In addition, food must be produced in a sustainable manner.
The exporting Irish agri-food sector, with its sustainable grass-based primary production system, is ideally placed to supply the demands of British and other EU markets.
“However, in order to realise these opportunities for growth, Irish farmers must receive a fair return from the market.
“And processors and retailers must deliver a price capable of providing a viable income for family farmers. This requires policymakers at national and EU level to re-balance power in the food marketing chain,” he said.
Mr Walshe said it is critical the Government shows its commitment in the upcoming CAP negotiations to the agriculture sector into the future by insisting on the maintenance of a fully-funded budget for Ireland.
Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on the environment, Senator Paudie Coffey, said British government warnings that the country could face faces food shortages by 2030 offers golden opportunities for Irish agriculture.
“We are on Britain’s doorstep and need to remind them of what we have on offer. Food 2030 is testament to the fact that our export opportunities can increase in the decades ahead,” he said.
Mr Coffey said the United Nations predicts a 50% rise in world population by 2050 and with rising living standards in India and China it says food output must increase by a staggering 70%.
“However, a sea-change in British thinking may represent a turning point for farming here,” he said.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
