Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

The term smart green growth sums up so much of what we wish to do with Food Harvest 2020. The policy document makes a number of specific recommendations for the horticulture sector. These recommendations are focused on the industry improving competitiveness, adapting new and greener technologies, and the State agencies fostering product and production innovation, including the production of non-traditional fruit and vegetables. This approach will also support growers coming together in producer organisations to facilitate greater bargaining power and the promotion of the health benefits of the consumption of fruit and vegetables.

The implementation of these recommendations, therefore, should lead to a more innovative and competitive horticulture industry, which should in turn be able to command a greater element of the retail price. It should also be an industry which is supplying into an expanding overall market and where Irish production is challenging and displacing imported product.

In so far as the organic sector is concerned, the key focus of Food Harvest 2020 is to show how the industry can capitalise on the expanding market opportunities. Opportunity abounds in the domestic organic retail market which is currently worth €94 million. Apart from the domestic market opportunities, major export opportunities for Irish organic produce are to be found in the major European markets.

The implementation of the food harvest recommendations, therefore, should enable the Irish organic sector to grow and prosper sustainably through the delivery of high-quality, safe and naturally based produce.

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