Agri-Vision 2015 Committee, Ireland   Press Releases

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 Walsh establishes Group to Plan for Agriculture up to 2015 

The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mr Joe Walsh TD, has established a High Level Group to set out a vision for the Agriculture and Food Sector over the next decade.

Minister Walsh referred to the Agri-Food 2010 Report which was published in March 2000. That report captured the essence of change that was on the horizon at that time. Since its publication major developments had taken place in the CAP particularly under the Luxembourg agreement of last June and there is also the ongoing and far reaching WTO talks. 

Accordingly the Minister believed that the time was now opportune to revisit the 2010 Study and identify the issues and opportunities in the new situation running up to 2015. It is generally accepted that the sector is entering into a period of profound change and therefore it is critical that the correct strategies are identified.

The Group being established is broadly based and possesses a wide range of skills and experience. It is drawn from farming, the food industry, research, academia and the state agencies with a direct interest the agriculture and food industries. The Minister said that he was particularly pleased that Mr. Alan Dukes had agreed to chair the Group. He also expressed his appreciation to all the others who had agreed to serve despite their busy schedules.

The Membership of the Group and its Terms of Reference are attached.

While the terms of reference were quite broad ranging the Minister emphasised that the task for the Group was to address the issues and challenges arising from the changed environment both internal and external. In this context the Group will seek the views of all interested parties. 

Furthermore the Minister added that while he was conscious of the demands of the Presidency both on his Department and some members of the Group he hoped the Group would be in a position to report in September. He wished the Group well in the work and looked forward to the outcome of their deliberations.

Agri-Food 2010 Revisited

Chairman: Mr Alan Dukes

Membership:

Mr Michael Behan, Chairman, Irish Meat Association.

Mr Donal Cashman, President, ICOS.

Dr Noel Cawley, Chief Executive, Irish Dairy Board.

Mr John Dillon, President, IFA.

Mr Michael Duffy, Chief Executive, Bord Bia.

Ms Mary Finan, Managing Director, Wilson Hartnell PR.

Mr Ciaran Fitzgerald, Director, Food and Drinks Industry Ireland.

Mr Jim Flanagan, Director, Teagasc.

Mr Dan Flinter, Former Chief Executive, Enterprise Ireland.

Ms Ailish Forde, Director General, RGDATA.

Mr Thomas Honner, President, Macra na Feirme.

Ms Mary Kelly, Director General, E.P.A.

Professor Alan Matthews, TCD.

Ms Lisa McAllister, Chief Executive, Western Development Commission.

Mr John Moloney, Group Managing Director, Glanbia.

Mr Pat O’Rourke, President, ICMSA.

Dr Pat Wall, UCD, Formerly Chief Executive of the FSAI.

The Terms of Reference:

“Review the strategy and recommendations contained in the Agri-Food 2010 Report in the context of developments since the report was completed.

While this review should be broad ranging it should focus in particular on:

• The implications of the outcome of the Mid-Term Agreement

• Enlargement of the EU

• Developments in the WTO

• Competitiveness and efficiency of the production base

• Income and employment trends in agriculture and rural areas in general”

The Department of Agriculture and Food and Teagasc will provide the secretariat for the Group.

19 January, 2004