Smith launches long-term strategy drive for food, forestry and fisheries

AN initiative to draw up a long-term strategy for the agri-food, forestry and fisheries sectors has been launched in Dublin.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith, who launched the initiative yesterday, has appointed a 30-member committee, chaired by Dr Sean Brady, to lead the process and established a web-based public consultation process.

Mr Smith said agri-food, forestry and fisheries are already hugely important to the economy and society as a source of jobs, exports and regional development.

“I firmly believe the sector can contribute significantly to our economic recovery and provide long-term growth into the future.

“It is vital we harness this potential and that we have absolute clarity of vision and determined action,” he said.

Mr Smith said he felt this process was timely as the sector was entering a period of profound change and it was critical the correct strategies are identified.

“The sector is facing significant challenges in terms of international competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

“However, there are also enormous opportunities opening up in European Union and global markets.

“The sector has repeatedly shown its capacity to compete in the toughest marketplaces, and, if we do what is required, I have no doubt that we can grow strongly from the platform we have established,” he said.

Mr Smith said he specifically wanted to ensure the industry was seen to be an integral part of the ‘smart economy’ and was at the forefront of the export-led economic recovery.

He said in order to target consideration of key issues, a series of discussion and background papers had been prepared and are publicly available on his department’s website on http://www.agriculture. gov.ie/2020Strategy.

“These papers outline the current situation and challenges facing the sector but equally importantly, pose a series of questions, the answers to which will form the core of our future strategy,” he said.

Mr Smith said he would welcome stakeholder input and views on how best to deal with some of the critical issues arising from these discussion papers. Details on how to make submissions are given on the website.