Elaine Loughlin: Reliance on fruit and veg imports reveals just how vulnerable our food security is

We must start treating our fruit and vegetable producers as a national asset to be protected.

nk lady apples are a lunchbox staple in our house; the two opened packs both had clocked up significant air miles originating from Brazil and Chile, respectively.

A heavy political and economic focus on two cash crops — beef and dairy — has left Irish consumers extremely vulnerable when it comes to the food that goes on our plate. While the beloved spud has been historically synonymous with this country, we now have become a country known for shipping baby formula to China and the US.

Ireland exports €19bn worth of food and drink products each year, but must import more than 80% of the fruit and vegetables we eat here. This nonsensical approach, which has prioritised and pushed the production of two highly lucrative export-led sectors, means that the majority of produce that could easily be grown here comes from abroad.