Research and development supports ‘missing link’ in food exports chain

RESEARCH and development supports are the missing link in the chain to promote Irish food exports, claims the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society.

ICOS, the representative body for 150,000 co-op members, has broadly welcomed the budget, but it also notes new food products will be needed to deliver on food export ambitions.

ICOS interim director general Ray Doyle said: “The maintenance of the Department of Agriculture’s budget on a virtually intact basis (excepting certain farm support schemes) is welcome. However, the National Recovery Plan also needs to prioritise investment in research and development throughout the four-year course of the plan. This is essential in the context of Food Harvest 2020.”