Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The current crisis is challenging established assumptions on food security. Now, more than ever, having countries like Ireland producing safe, sustainable and nutritious food is needed.

Ireland is among the most food secure countries in the world. In fact, according to the Global Food Security Index for 2022, Ireland placed second. Ireland is part of the EU single market and participates in the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), which is the key mechanism for ensuring food security throughout Europe.

The EU is largely self-sufficient for many agricultural products but is a considerable net importer for specific products that may be difficult to substitute. Increasing input costs in the food supply chain are driving food prices up.

Therefore, while there is no food shortage, there is a food availability issue for those on lower incomes and also a threat to farmer incomes. The EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers will continue to focus on the core areas of security, stability, and sustainability and to support the work of the recently established European Food Security Crisis preparedness and response Mechanism (EFSCM).

The global food security situation is concerning, especially the impacts on developing countries. The “EU Global Food Security Response”, adopted in the June EU Council Conclusions, sets out four strands of action:

Solidarity through emergency relief and support for affordability

Boosting sustainable production, resilience and food systems transformation

Facilitating Ukrainian and global trade and effective multilateralism

form an effective framework that joins up immediate and longer-term action at local and global levels.

In addition, all EU countries and the Commission have endorsed the “Road Map for the Global Food Security - Call for Action” agreed between Foreign Ministers at the UN, which will guide efforts led by the UN Secretary General-through the UN Global Crisis Response Group and coordinated with the G7 Global Alliance for Food Security.

In this regard, efforts to ensure security and stability in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov region must continue and it is to be welcomed that shipments are taking place from Ukrainian ports through the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

At the UN Food Systems Summit in 2021, Ireland committed to sharing its own journey in food systems transformation and its plans for the future through our national strategy Food Vision 2030, and to assist developing countries in their own journeys.

In support of this, the Department has supported the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in the design of a global Food Systems Transformation Support Facility, which will be a critical component for technical support for global food systems transformation.

In Food Vision, our sector has laid out its ambition to become “A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems” through the pursuit of 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 & Abroad

4. An Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Agri-Food Sector, Driven by Technology & Talent.

I am confident that the sector will deliver on its ambitions and will continue to contribute to national, EU and global food security.