Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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735. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide in tabular form the baseline targets set down for the agrifood sector and in each sector where available by the Food Harvest 2020 strategy according to new jobs to be created, primary output, exports levels and value added; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24120/16]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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736. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide in tabular form the last figures at hand with respect to progress on attaining baseline targets set down for the agrifood sector and in each sector, where available, by the Food Harvest 2020 strategy, according to new jobs to be created, primary output, exports levels and value added; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24121/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 736 together.

The main targets set out in the Food Harvest report published in 2010 were, by 2020, to increase the value of primary output by 33% and agrifood exports by 42% (both from a 2007-09 average baseline); and to increase value added production by 40% (from a 2008 baseline). In addition to these value increases, the dairy industry targeted a 50% increase in milk production by 2020, to be progressed following the abolition of milk quotas in April last year.

Progress on those targets were monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis. The fourth annual report “Milestones for Success 2014”, published in September 2014, showed that the sector had achieved very significant progress on these targets and illustrated the manner in which the Food Harvest 2020 vision of ‘smart, green, growth’ is being attained. The latest data available show growth of 34% and 32% for primary production and exports, respectively, versus the baseline period.

Food Wise 2025, the new ten year strategy for the agrifood sector published in July last year, is the successor to the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. Food Wise 2025 Strategy believes that the following growth projections are achievable by 2025: increasing the value of agrifood exports by 85% to €19 billion; increasing value added in the sector by 70% to in excess of €13 billion; and increasing the value of primary production by 65% to almost €10 billion. With regard to employment, Food Wise foresees the creation of 23,000 additional jobs in the agrifood sector all along the supply chain from primary production to high value added product development.

Last week I launched the first annual progress report of Food Wise 2025: Steps to Success 2016. Food Wise: Steps to Success showed that, of the 330 detailed actions which were due to commence in 2015 or 2016, 28% have been achieved or substantial action has been undertaken and a further 67% have commenced and are progressing well.

I believe that this is a good start and I will press on to get as many actions as possible completed within the next year.