AGRI-FOOD 2010 COMMITTEE FORMED

The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mr Joe Walsh TD, today announced the establishment of a high level committee to map out the future of agriculture and the food industry. The Committee will be chaired by Mr Pat O’Neill, the former Group Managing Director of Glanbia.

“With the Agenda 2000 agreement, the Irish agri-food sector now has a solid and favourable framework for development over the next several years” Minister Walsh said. “But our very significant achievements in the negotiations on Agenda 2000 should not lead to any sense of complacency about the future. There are challenges ahead which offer both opportunities and threats, and we must now take a hard look at every aspect of the agri-food sector if we are to ensure that it is sufficiently strong and competitive to meet these challenges and to grow and prosper in the future.”

Noting that the agri-food sector accounts for 13% of GDP, 12% of employment and one third of Ireland’s net foreign earnings from exports, the Minister said “The future of the agri-food sector is vital not only for our rural communities but for the economy as a whole. The task I have set the Committee is therefore one of real national importance, and I am very pleased to have been able to assemble such a distinguished and expert group of people to serve on it”.

The terms of reference of the Agri-Food 2010 Committee are:

“To propose a strategy for the development of Irish agriculture and food over the next decade, following the agreement on Agenda 2000, and in the light of the changes and challenges which are likely to evolve nationally and internationally over that period.”

The Committee is expected to complete its work, and present a report to the Minister early in the new year. The full membership of the Committee is set out on the Annex attached.

24 May, 1999

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Home