The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, has announced that his Department will host a major conference, Food Wise: Challenge, Ambition, Opportunity in Croke Park on the 4th of December.
Agreed by a committee of 35 stakeholders from the agri-food sector, Food Wise 2025 sets out a ten year plan for the sector. It underlines the sector’s unique and special position within the Irish economy, and it illustrates the potential which exists for this sector to grow even further.
It foresees a sector that acts more strategically and achieves a competitive critical mass in the international marketplace while targeting more quality conscious consumers who will recognise and reward Ireland’s food producers for their sustainable production and high quality produce.
Speaking at the launch the Minister said: “Food Wise 2025 is a shared blueprint for our indigenous agri-food sector and I am delighted to be here in Croke Park, the home of our legendary Gaelic games, to officially launch this Conference which will bring together key stakeholders”
Confirmed speakers so far, include the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, European Commissioner Phil Hogan and Joe Glauber from the International Food Policy Research Institute.
Food Wise 2025 identifies ambitious and challenging growth projections for the industry over the next ten years including:
- 85{b28040870e2dde01f25bc5b483275391226143b34751c4bb8f1feeecaec925a1} increase in exports to €19 billion;
- 70{b28040870e2dde01f25bc5b483275391226143b34751c4bb8f1feeecaec925a1} increase in value added to €13 billion
- 60{b28040870e2dde01f25bc5b483275391226143b34751c4bb8f1feeecaec925a1} increase in primary production to €10 billion and
- The creation of 23,000 additional jobs all along the supply chain from producer level to high end value added product development.
To achieve the projections, Food Wise 2025 identified over 400 recommendations to achieve sustainable growth and requiring a concerted and coordinated approach by primary producers, industry, Departments and State agencies.
Those interested in attending the conference can register their interest here. As places are limited, early registration is advised.
