Minister O’Brien welcomes the launch of “Food Vision 2030”

Pioneering strategy to position Ireland as a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade
 
Local Minister and Dublin Fingal TD, Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the publication of Food Vision 2030, a new decade-long, pioneering strategy for Ireland’s food and drinks sector which seeks to grow agri-food exports from €14bn to €21bn by 2030 – further enhancing Ireland’s position as global leader.
 
The strategy which was launched by the Minister for Agriculture has been developed by a cross-sectoral committee of agri-food stakeholders and sets out four high-level missions to fulfil its ambition:

1. A climate-smart, environmentally sustainable agri-food sector.
2. Viable and resilient primary producers, with enhanced wellbeing
3. Food that is safe, nutritious and appealing, trusted and valued at home and abroad
4. An innovative, competitive and resilient sector, driven by technology and talent.

 
Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “Tremendous progress has been made in the last decade in expanding the reach of Irish food and drink to consumers across the globe and Ireland is now one of very few countries to have developed an agri-food strategy using a food systems approach.
 
“I am particularly pleased to see that vision two commits to a more equitable distribution of value in the food system. Improving price transparency is something I have long highlighted and is one method of improving returns to primary producers. Primary legislation, to be introduced before the end of 2021, will establish a new office of the National Food Ombudsman or regulator, something which I believe is much needed.
 
“A common theme across each of the missions is the need to work towards a more resilient and diversified system, capable of coping with the risks associated with changes in economic and climatic circumstances. A diversity of farming, fishing and forestry systems offers the best approach towards achieving all forms of sustainability and one should not be considered better than the others.
 
“The plan sets us on a clear pathway over the next decade to addressing the very real challenges which exist in the sector,” concluded Minister O’Brien.