Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 59: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the future stability of the agriculture industry in view of the downward trend in the availability of agricultural educational courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter [11923/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While the Irish agri-food sector operates in a global market that is currently experiencing unprecedented change, I am optimistic about its long–term future stability. Despite the well documented challenges in the global market, I believe that our indigenous industry has the potential to boost export returns and approach €10 billion in annual export revenues by 2011, as has been targeted by Bord Bia. The strongest growth potential exists in dairy, prepared foods, beef, alcoholic beverages and seafood sectors.

This Government is strongly committed to continued support for the sector to meet the challenges and avail of the opportunities arising from on-going changes and developments in the international economic climate. Action has been taken at all levels of the food supply chain in accordance with the Agri-Vision 2015 Report and the Programme for Government. At primary production level these include:

Major on-farm investment in infrastructure, including waste management;

A new Milk Quota Trading Scheme, which provides a more open market system of quota transfer and will increase the efficiency and competitiveness of milk production;

An Enhanced Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) to promote environmentally friendly agricultural production;

A suckler cow welfare scheme, the first of its type in Europe, to enable the beef sector meet consumer demands for animal welfare friendly beef production;

The Single Farm Payment Scheme, which supports farm incomes, ensures sustainable agricultural production meeting broader societal demands;

Measures to develop a sustainable forestry sector to support rural employment provide an indigenous renewable energy source and help mitigate climate change.

At the food industry Processing Level:

The Dairy Investment Fund, amounting to €100 million exchequer funds, will generate total capital investment in processing of almost €300 million. The Fund reflects the Government's recognition of the need for growth in output and value-added in dairy products particularly in order to exploit the new opportunities presented by EU quota expansion.

Beef and Sheepmeat Investment Fund: A Capital Investment Aid Scheme for the beef and sheepmeat primary processing sectors was launched in April 2007, with the aims of achieving efficiencies in processing and improving market sustainability, competitiveness and added value. The process of examination and evaluation of project proposals under this scheme has been completed and Enterprise Ireland is in contact with companies about the details of awards.

The Prepared Consumer Foods Initiative will provide around €30m over the next five years to progressive companies in the prepared consumer food sector through Enterprise Ireland's R&D and Growth funds.

Supporting Innovation, Marketing and Research and Development: Bord Bia has received increased funding in recent years to support the marketing of Irish foodstuffs and the development of Quality Assurance Schemes. The planned transfer of responsibility for seafood from BIM to Bord Bia will enhance the marketing of seafood under the "Ireland the Sustainable Food Island" banner.

Addressing the industry's capacity to compete successfully at home and overseas has assumed a new urgency and my belief is that a new development plan for the period to 2020 is required to maintain the impetus gained from the Agri-Vision 2015 strategy. My Department has already started the preparatory work on this plan which is focusing on the opportunities arising from a growing international food and energy crop markets, the challenges from the global economic downturn, currency fluctuations, climate change and the critical issue of competitiveness.

The provision of education and training in agriculture is, under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988, the responsibility of Teagasc. It is for that organisation to ensure that the educational courses provided are appropriate to the needs of the industry.