Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the agri-food sector here to maximise the potential of Food Harvest 2020; if any initiatives are anticipated to ensure that adequate funding is made available to the sector in order to meet the challenges and the development costs therewith associated; if he favours a particular strategy in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47688/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As indicated in Milestones for Success 2012 , the second progress report on Food Harvest 2020, the agri-food sector is currently well placed to achieve the key targets set out for 2020 in Food Harvest.

Specifically, working from the baseline figures, by end 2011 the value of both primary output and exports has increased by almost 19% and 10% respectively , vis-a vis the relevant 33% and 42% target increase set for 2020. The CSO also indicate that the value- added element of the sector has increased by 5.6% by end 2010, the latest figure available.

The budget allocations for 2013 are being considered in the context of the gross expenditure ceilings that were allocated to all Departments for the period 2012 -2014 under the Government’s Medium Term Expenditure Framework. The preparations for the 2013 Estimate are currently underway and all budget lines on my Department’s Vote will be examined carefully as part of that process having regard to the expenditure ceilings. My intention is to ensure that the resources available to my Department are managed to provide the optimum benefit to economic activity in the agricultural, food, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to realising the potential which exists for the sectors to contribute to the economic recovery.