Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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2044. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the draft 2030 agrifood strategy will be published; the way in which the public will be consulted in the development of the final strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15898/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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It is anticipated that the draft Agri-Food Strategy to 2030 will be published in April alongside the associated environmental assessment, including an Environmental Report and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS). This will be as part of a public consultation on the environmental assessment.  Written submissions on the Environmental Report and the NIS, as well as the draft Strategy, will be facilitated. In addition, it is planned to hold a webinar as part of this public consultation.

However, this time frame is dependent on the 2030 Stakeholder Committee finalising their deliberations shortly.

Separately, and as part of Ireland's preparations for the United Nations Food Systems Summit in September, a series of food system dialogues will be held. As this process is simultaneous, it will allow for some discussion and engagement on the draft 2030 Strategy. I will announce further details on these dialogues in the near future.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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2045. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of his engagement with the environmental pillar since its withdrawal from the 2030 agrifood strategy committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15899/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Environmental Pillar nominee to the Agri-Food 2030 Stakeholder Committee announced their withdrawal from the process at a Committee meeting on 25th February. Following that announcement, I, along with my colleagues Minister of State Hackett and Minister of State Heydon, expressed regret at the decision and hoped the Pillar would reconsider and engage in the strategy formation process, which is still ongoing.

At the request of the Environmental Pillar, my Ministerial colleagues and I, along with the Chair of the 2030 Committee and Department officials, met with a range of representatives on 11th March. We listened to their views and again invited the Environmental Pillar to re-engage with the process.