Smith welcomes food sector plans

AGRICULTURE Minister Brendan Smith welcomed the key role for the food sector in the Government’s five-year plan to generate 300,000 jobs and boost exports.

“The integrated plan will help agencies such as Bord Bia and Bord Iascaigh Mhara to expand their market share overseas and it is very much in keeping with the aims of Food Harvest 2020 to boost food exports by one-third over the next decade,” said Mr Smith.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen listed food as one of the important global industries where Ireland is a big player – along with tourism, electronics, life sciences, construction and engineering, financial and business services, software and retail consumer products.