Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the future expansion and development of the food producing sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12220/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The mission of my Department is to lead the sustainable development of a competitive, consumer focused agrifood sector and to contribute to a vibrant rural economy and society.

Last week I launched a comprehensive action plan for the future of the agrifood sector. The plan sets out a new vision for the future of the sector in the light of new changes impacting on it such as the change to a decoupled payments regime, a more liberalised trade policy, changes in lifestyle, the clear emergence of technology and research and development as significant market drivers and major changes in the structures of farming and retailing. The plan focuses on three key requirements for success in the light of these challenges: competitiveness, innovation and consumer-focused marketing. There are also many actions to be taken in the other areas such as small-scale enterprises, horticulture and the organic sector, forestry, renewable energy and rural development.

The plan contains 166 specific actions under a series of headings to be implemented in the near future with the objective of ensuring that the Irish agrifood sector compares to the best in the EU and in the world in terms of knowledge base, competitiveness, innovation and marketing. The action plan also provides for the establishment of two high level groups, one comprised CEOs of the food agencies to ensure and implement a fully consolidated approach towards the development of the food sector as a whole and a food industry committee, comprising senior executives of the industry which will identify issues impeding the development of the sector. Both groups will be chaired at ministerial level.

In the area of building the knowledge base and innovation, increased Exchequer funding for research and development will be prioritised in the National Development Plan 2007-2013, which will build on the increased funding for research and development allocated this year. The importance of competitiveness for such an export-oriented sector is stressed throughout the plan and is the primary objective on which the plan is based. In the modern high-tech food industry, technological progress and product innovation are unremitting and vital to the future of the sector. Meeting consumer demands on product, presentation and price are also absolutely critical to continuing success.

The action plan sets out our positive vision for the future of the agrifood sector. It underlines the fact that delivering safe, high-quality, nutritious food, produced in a sustainable manner, to well-informed consumers in high-value markets is the optimum road for the future of the Irish food industry and, therefore, for our farmers. My Department will be to the fore in delivering on the actions set out in the plan and with the co-operation and support from state agencies and the private sector I am convinced that our mission can be achieved.