Farm minister upbeat on agri-food sector

The indicators for the Irish agri-food sector in both the medium and long term remain positive, according to Farm Minister Brendan Smith.

The minister described the sector as being of critical importance to the economy with global demand for meat and milk projected to more than double over the next 40 years.

However, Minister Smith warned the Agricultural Science Association National Conference in Galway today that the agri-food industry needed to place increasing emphasis on innovation as it gears up to meet the demands of an ever more competitive market place.