Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the role that agriculture and the agri-food sector can play in economic recovery here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12596/11]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the way the agri-food sector can contribute to economic revival here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12597/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 85 together.

As mentioned in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 42 today [12599/11], I would regard the key contribution which the agri-food sector will make to Ireland's economic revival relates to its potential to generate export led growth, its embedded contribution to the economy and employment and its ability to garner foreign export earnings.

Together these provide the solid foundation for positioning this progressive indigenous industry as one of the central components of the country's export driven recovery.

In the light of this potential, the implementation of Food Harvest 2020 is a key commitment of the Programme for Government. I am personally focused on progressing the wide range of state actions needed to drive implementation of this strategic document, which was drawn up by key figures in the sector. It includes ambitious targets to be achieved by 2020 including:

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

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 to 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 22 June next.

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 215 recommendations in Food Harvest 2020 and identify key features of the road ahead.