Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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810. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the Food Harvest 2020 targets, particularly in relation to export growth and dairy quotas; if the targets are on track to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27551/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am confident that the industry developed targets set out in Food Harvest 2020 are achievable and can be met.

The main targets in the Food Harvest report are by 2020 to increase the value of Agriculture, food (including seafood) and drink exports by 42%; primary output in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by 33% and value added production by 40%. In addition, a 50% increase in milk production and 78% increase in the volume of aquaculture production is envisaged.

Progress on these targets and the 215 recommendations in the Food Harvest report are monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis by the Food Harvest High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC) . The HLIC, which I chair, consists of the senior officials of all state agencies involved in the agriculture, food and fisheries sector. Their 2^nd report “Milestones for Success 2012, published last July, provides a detailed account of progress achieved to date on all the recommendations in FH2020 (link following).

In relation to your specific query on export growth, I am pleased to have noted that by end 2012, the value of exports had increased by 12%, (2020 target 42%). With reference to your query on dairy quotas you will be aware; the volume of milk production is currently constrained by EU quotas. Significant volume increase will not take place until the EU milk quotas are abolished in 2015. In the meantime, steps are being taken at primary and commercial level, through initiatives such as the dairy efficiency programme, capital investment in processing equipment, marketing and trade promotions, to ensure that the industry can capitalise on this valuable opportunity.