Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether the targets set out in the Food Harvest strategy can be achieved by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7701/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The key growth targets in Food Harvest 2020 are as follows:

- Increase the value of primary output of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors by €1.5 billion. This is a 33% increase compared to the 2007-2009 average.

- Improve the value added in the sector by €3 billion.

- Achieve an export target of €12 billion for the sector. This is a 42% increase compared to the 2007-2009 average.

- Increase milk production by 50%.

- Add 20% to the value of the beef sector.

These targets were agreed by a Committee made up of key figures from the agriculture, food, forestry and fisheries sectors. I am confident that these key targets will be achieved by 2020. They are fully supported by the programme for Government, which notes that "the expansion and innovation in our dairy and meat sectors will be a key priority under a reformed CAP and we will work with industry to achieve more intensive levels of production". The Government is committed to delivering the required state actions to drive implementation.

Indeed, actions have already been taken to progress implementation. A high-level implementation committee (HLIC) was established specifically to

- ensure a fully joined up effort on the part of State bodies in the implementation of FH2020;

- encourage proactive engagement by the agri-food industry and private sector with the implementation process; and

- act as a "clearing house" for issues relating to the development of the sector.

The HLIC consists of the CEOs of Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, BIM, Teagasc, the Environmental Protection Agency and senior departmental officials. To date, this committee has met three times, and I look forward to chairing the next meeting, which is scheduled for next week, 19 April.

My focus for the next meeting will be to review progress made to date but also to actively engage with industry on the key issues of competitiveness, innovation and upskilling. Representatives from IBEC and FORFAS are attending this meeting and I am confident that our engagement and dialogue around these three key issues will facilitate the achievement of substantial progress towards the achievement of the agri-food industry targets.

The first progress report on the implementation of Food Harvest 2020 is due for publication in July 2011 and will outline progress to date in relation to each of the recommendations contained in the FH2020 report.