Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

As a farmer and the father of a young farmer, I am enthusiastic about the prospects that Food Harvest 2020 presents for those engaged in farming and the agrifood industry in Ireland. The exhaustive and detailed report was launched in July. It is an indepth and provoking document and a report that is vital underpinning the future of the sector and enhancing the livelihoods of the agricultural community and those involved in the agrifood sector. Its wise implementation has far-reaching consequences for agricultural activity and the impact which the sector will make on national and international consumer markets. The report provides a new vision and a valuable, workable framework for concentrated activity in the next ten years in this country in the areas of agrifood, drinks, fisheries and forestry. This is, without doubt, our single most valuable indigenous industry and it is imperative that we get our future priorities right so that we can achieve sustainable growth, expansion and prosperity for everyone within this vital sector.

We can never underestimate the intrinsic worth of agriculture and agrifood to this country nor can we underestimate the great complexity of the sector and the various factors which impinge on its activity and its progress. I am pleased that the Food Harvest 2020 report reflects the complex nature of the farming and agrifood industry and that it captures the many and varied challenges we face and the opportunities that we can unlock if we are to harness the full potential of the sector in the coming decade. In particular, Food Harvest 2020 justly recognises the unique and special position which agriculture occupies in this country and its pivotal importance to the Irish economy as a whole. Prosperity within agriculture is not just particular to those active in the industry but it touches the well-being of the entire economy and the entire nation.

I welcome the report because it identifies graphically the enormous potential which exists and it illustrates clearly the vast potential for the sector to grow even further if we adopt the correct approach and apply the various concrete recommendations. We can all work on this together, Government and private enterprise alike. We are all stakeholders and all of us have a significant role to play in realising our objectives in a successful way. I am pleased to hear the Minister say that he will give a meaningful involvement to all stakeholders in the process of implementing the recommendations of Harvest 2020.

Food Harvest 2020 is the result of considerable expertise and long hours of serious deliberations. It represents a modern, enlightened strategic vision for the future of Irish agriculture and agrifood. The blueprint it affords is a compelling one. The expert committee clearly and firmly believes that these sectors can and will deliver real and tangible returns over time. The detail of the report demonstrates that Irish agriculture and agrifood can and will be at the vanguard of our economic recovery and our return to much-needed economic growth in as short a period as possible. That must be the overriding consideration at this time. In order to achieve that ambition and to translate the aspirations into reality, it is essential that we make the proper and informed decisions now without unnecessary delay. The 2020 report is comprehensive and insightful. It stands as a realistic and pragmatic roadmap which we can follow if we are to develop and prosper successfully within these essential sectors.

The report underscores some of the challenges which confront us on the road to future growth and prosperity but, more importantly, it illustrates exactly how we can set about achieving the goals and targets we are setting ourselves. We must be absolutely confident, convinced and sincerely committed to our aims. The committee has said that Ireland can grow its exports of food and beverages by one third to achieve a value of €12 billion every year. It believes we can increase the value of primary production by farmers and fishermen by €1.5 billion and that value added through processing can be increased by €3 billion. These are substantial figures but they are realistic and attainable with the right attitude and measures.

When milk quotas come to an end in 2015, we have a golden opportunity which we can seize to increase milk output by an estimated 50%, which is the equivalent of 2.75 billion litres of milk. That could improve primary output value by €700 million with substantial additional increases downstream. Relative to our competitors, we have to improve our cost competitiveness by 20%.

There is a renewed acceptance that the agribusiness industry is crucial to Ireland's economy, not just in terms of employment and trade but also as a catalyst for investment and growth. The sector as a whole has an annual output of a staggering €24 billion. The agrifood industry overall accounts for more than 163,000 jobs in the country or 8.2% of total employment. It accounts for approximately 8% of GDP and is worth almost 10% of exports with a total value of approximately €9.2 billion. We rely heavily on exports which absorb more than 80% of dairy and beef output. The value of Irish meat and livestock exports reaches almost €2.5 billion, underlining that the meat sector is a significant element in our economy.

Food Harvest 2020 is an inspired first step towards progress over the next ten years. I encourage farmers and the industry alike to study the document, reflect on its ambitious objectives and embrace the spirit and the letter of the recommendations in full. I accept there are significant challenges ahead and that there will be obstacles. However, this report identifies those challenges and it provides us with the essential equipment to anticipate the obstacles and to enable us to surmount them in an intelligent and forward-thinking fashion. I welcome this intelligent and inspiring report. I look forward to seeing the fruits of our dedication and collective national efforts over the next ten years. I know it will be well worth it.

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