Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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261. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to be satisfied regarding the competitiveness of Irish food exports on the world food market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21644/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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As over 80% of Irish food and drink production is exported, managing and maintaining our international competitiveness is fundamental for the future development of the sector. Ireland ranks quite highly in global competitiveness tables, but is still considered to be less competitive than some of our main competitors on global agrifood export markets such as Netherlands and New Zealand, or Norway and Scotland for seafood products. Exchange rate volatility and business costs, including transport, credit and financial services costs, as well as labour costs, are particularly important for the agrifood sector.

Improving competitiveness is one of the cross-cutting themes of the Food Wise 2025 strategy, which includes detailed actions aimed at improving competitiveness at both the primary and processing levels. Investment in innovation and human capital will be key drivers of competitiveness in the sector, and will enable businesses to adapt to market conditions and adopt best practice in delivering food solutions in global markets.  The Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC) engaged with the Chair of the National Competitiveness Council in April, for a useful discussion on the competitiveness challenges facing the sector.

I launched a first year progress report on Food Wise 2025 entitled ‘Steps to Success 2016’ today, along with a detailed report on progress to date on each of the actions in Food Wise. In relation to competitiveness, all of the specific recommendations for 2015 and/or 2016 have been commenced, and in some cases substantial action has been undertaken. My Department and its agencies are consulting closely with industry on planning to address possible trade implications and future issues following the UK referendum. I plan to lead trade missions with companies and the development agencies to diversify and deepen our international export markets and will be visiting China in September.