‘Huge pressure’ in food sector

GOVERNMENT was given a stark warning yesterday to respond to the huge pressures facing the Irish food sector.

Speaking at the Food and Drinks Industry Ireland (FDII) conference in Dublin, chairman, Larry Murrin, warned: "Unless something dramatic is done to manage the unprecedented challenges facing Ireland's food manufacturing sector, there will be significant diminishment in both export earnings and Irish food choices available to consumers".

Government action was needed immediately, meanwhile, to prevent serious damage to export earnings in the food sector, he added.