Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

197. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the targets set in Food Harvest 2020 continue to be met throughout each sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53586/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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:

- Primary output in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by 33%;

- Value added production by 40%;

- Agriculture, food (including seafood) and drink exports by 42%.

In addition, a 50% increase in milk production and a 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 third report “Milestones for Success 2013 ”, published in September, showed that the sector had achieved growth in excess of 25% (primary production), 20% (value-added) and 13% (exports) by the end of 2012, compared to the baseline period.