Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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685. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that sufficient incentives remain to guard against food shortages as was the original objective when the European Union was first formed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60478/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Common Agricultural Policy has undergone a number of evolutions in terms of its scope and objectives since it began in 1962. It began with the aim to support food production in Europe. That aim is still a core objective of the CAP.

As we begin to implement the next iteration of the CAP, how we achieve this objective is informed by a greater awareness and concern for the impacts of climate change. Therefore, the new CAP has increased its focus on this challenge and will support a more sustainable agricultural sector.

Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027 will contain a range of supports to underpin the sustainable development of Ireland’s farming and food sector.

Along with the Taoiseach and Government colleagues, I launched the Food Vision 2030 strategy in August.

The strategy uses a food systems approach and considered sustainability in all its dimensions - environmental, economic and social. Its ambition is that Ireland will become a world leader in sustainable food systems in the decade ahead, and the draft CAP Strategic Plan will provide support in that process.

Considerable work is being undertaken at EU level to identify actions to address shortcomings in the current food supply chain and crisis response, and to provide a better and coordinated European response to future food supply and food security crises.

The development of an EU Contingency Plan is an action in response to the Form to Fork Strategy stated objective, to “step up coordination of a common European response to crises affecting food”, which emphasises the necessity of resilient food systems and food security.

I will participate in a discussion on the Contingency Plan at an AgriFish Council in the near future. I look forward to engaging on this important topic and am pleased that it is on the Council's agenda.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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688. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that the Irish food producing sector will remain viable into the future notwithstanding CAP reform and carbon reduction measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60481/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that I am very confident that the Irish agrifood sector will remain viable into the future, and is well positioned to address both challenges and opportunities arising from CAP reform and climate action.

I was delighted to launch the new Food Vision 2030 strategy with the Taoiseach and Government colleagues in August.

For some 20 years, the Irish agrifood sector has benefited from having a coherent, stakeholder-led vision and strategy to underpin the sector’s continued development and I believe Food Vision is a landmark for the Irish agrifood sector with the potential to transform our agriculture, food, forestry and marine sectors in the period to 2030, with sustainability at its core.

Food Vision 2030 sets the ambition that, “Ireland will become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) over the next decade. This will deliver significant benefits for the Irish agrifood sector itself, for Irish society and the environment. In demonstrating the Irish agrifood sector meets the highest standards of sustainability – economic, environmental, and social – this will also provide the basis for the future competitive advantage of the sector. By adopting an integrated food systems approach, Ireland will seek to become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems, producing safe, nutritious, and high-value food that tastes great, while protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural resources and contributing to vibrant rural and coastal communities and the national economy” .

To achieve that ambition, Food Vision provides a strategic framework for the sector and recommends over 200 actions under 22 goals, guided by four high-level missions:

1. A Climate Smart, Environmentally Sustainable Agri-Food Sector;

2. Viable and Resilient Primary Producers with Enhanced Well-Being;

3. Food that is safe, nutritious and appealing: trusted and valued at home and abroad and 4. An Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Agri-Food Sector, driven by Technology and Talent.

Food Vision 2030 sets challenging environmental goals, including becoming a climate-neutral food system by 2050, with verifiable progress achieved by 2030, encompassing emissions reductions, carbon sequestration, air, biodiversity and water quality.

At the same time Food Vision looks to protect and build on Ireland's global reputation as a trusted supplier of high quality, safe, sustainable food to consumers at home and abroad. The sector has set itself an ambition of reaching €21 billion in exports by 2030, driven by value rather than volume.

The next iteration of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which starts in 2023, aims to foster a sustainable and competitive agricultural sector that can support the livelihoods of farmers and provide healthy and sustainable food for society, as well as ensuring vibrant rural areas.

Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027 will underpin the sustainable development of Ireland’s farming and food sector by supporting viable farm incomes and enhancing competitiveness, by strengthening the socio-economic fabric of rural areas, and by contributing to the achievement of environmental and climate objectives at national and EU levels.

The new CSP is structured around the achievement of three general objectives, as set out in EU legislation, including “- to foster a smart, competitive, resilient and diversified agricultural sector ensuring long term food security”.

Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2021 is the most ambitious ever produced. I believe the targets for agriculture will help make Irish farms more environmentally efficient and build a more sustainable agrifood sector.

While the plan sets ambitious climate mitigation targets for farming, it also recognises the special position of the sector in producing high quality food and supporting a balanced regional economy. These commitments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are challenging but I know our sector is committed to the challenge.

I believe that the Irish agrifood sector is dynamic and innovative, ready to adapt and to embrace change for a more sustainable future.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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689. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any further measures to protect the agri-food sector are in order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60482/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that I launched the new Food Vision 2030 strategy with the Taoiseach and Government colleagues in August. The Deputy will also be aware that we are currently finalising Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023 to 2027.

The processes for developing these included detailed assessments, consultations and analysis, including SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis. Both Food Vision 2030 and the draft CSP reflect the outcome of this analysis to ensure, as much as is possible, that the Irish agrifood sector will remain sustainable and viable into the future and well positioned to address future challenges and opportunities.