Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to ensure the achievement of the targets outlined in Food Harvest 2020. [7786/11]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to make progress on the recommendations of Food Harvest 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7700/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 63 together.

The implementation of Food Harvest 2020 is a key commitment of the programme for Government. I would assure the Deputy that I am personally focused on progressing the wide range of State actions needed to drive implementation of this strategic document, which also includes the following targets to be achieved by 2020:

- Increase milk production by 50%.

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

- Achieve an exports target of €12 billion, a 42% increase

- Increase the value of primary output of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by €1.5 billion.

Actions have already been taken to progress implementation. A high-level implementation committee (HLIC), involving the CEOs of the relevant state agencies, has been established specifically to

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

- to 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.

I chair this Committee and I look forward to chairing its next meeting, which is scheduled for 19 April next.

Other actions already taken include:

- A call for research proposals targeted on the priorities identified in Food Harvest 2020.

- An Agri Research Expert Advisory (AREA) Group has been established to facilitate input from the agriculture industry into primary research programmes.

- A Dairy Expansion Activation Group, comprised largely of private sector representatives, recently published a Dairy Sector Road Map, which sets out the actions required by the sector to achieve the target 50% increase in milk production by 2020.

- A Beef 2020 Activation Group has been established. The purpose of this group is to drive the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the FH 2020 strategy. The group first met on 24 February and is at present engaging with the various stakeholders. Both the beef and dairy groups are to report back to the HLIC.

- Bord Bia, Teagasc and the UK Carbon Trust are collaborating to verify and improve the sustainability aspect of Bord Bia's Beef Quality Assurance Scheme. Based on the work to date, from January 2011 environmental and economic assurance will be provided for premium markets, particularly in the EU.

- The 'Brand Ireland' concept is being developed initially through the work of Bord Bia.

I will continue to work to make substantial progress towards the achievement of the agri-food industry targets, and this summer I will produce a progress report which will outline the actions taken on each of the 157 recommendations in Food Harvest 2020.