Report urges co-operation in horticulture sector
A report published by InterTradeIreland also indicates that the sector contributes significantly more to agricultural output in Northern Ireland than the Republic.
It identifies an imbalance in structures which support the horticulture industry between the north and the south.
The report recommends that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development provide a more focused and coordinating role in Northern Ireland similar to that provided by Bord Glas in the Republic.
It also shows that horticulture represents 1.2% or E406.5 million of total agricultural output in the Republic compared to 7% or E132.8m of output in Northern Ireland.
In the Republic, the sector has grown by 25.2% in value terms between 1998 and 2002.
This compared with a more sluggish performance in Northern Ireland.
Production in the north has decreased in the same period by 1.6%.
Mushrooms and potatoes between them account for over 60% of output value in both jurisdictions.
Dr Eileen McGloin of InterTradeIrelandâs said that the report highlights how the change in consumer lifestyles, increasing disposable incomes and smaller households are all changing the nature of the horticulture industry.
In order to meet the new consumer needs and to overcome challenges, those who were making and implementing policy and the industry itself needed to make changes.
âImproved traceability and introducing island-wide quality measures will considerably help the industry by providing transparency and boosting customer confidence,â she said.
Meanwhile, Food Minister Noel Treacy yesterday announced grant aid of E2.5m for the development of the horticulture sector in the Republic, under the National Development Plan.
This aid which is set at 35% of total capital investment will fund projects in commercial horticulture to the value of E7m in 2004.
