The document sets out the policies the FDII would like the Fine Gael-led minority government to implement to support growth and job creation in the agri-food economy.
FDII director Paul Kelly said: “The key priorities for the food and drink sector run across different parts of government and need to be addressed in a coordinated way.”
Among the policies the FDII is calling for are:
A relentless focus on manufacturing cost competitiveness, particularly Government-influenced costs like energy and waste.Improved access to lower-cost finance to ensure the industry can invest in enabling technology, plant renewal and expansion.Free-trade agreements and market access that are aligned with the needs of all the industry.A continued focus on food sector innovation and skills development with increased budgets for enterprise-led training.Avoidance of discriminatory measures like sugar taxes on beverages, which affect consumers and business alike with no net public health benefit.“The food and drink industry is Ireland’s largest indigenous sector with 230,000 linked jobs,” Kelly said.
“The sector has seen exports grow by over 50% since 2009 to reach €10.8bn in 2015. The strong ambition within the sector is reflected in the €19bn export target in Food Wise 2025.”
Kelly added, however, that this ambition is grounded in the reality that Ireland’s food and drink industry faces many challenges in domestic and export markets.
“These include commodity volatility and market access difficulties; costly and difficult access to finance which is necessary for expansion; import competition in the domestic marketplace and increased calls to impose taxes and restrict choice whilst ignoring positive industry initiatives.”
Kelly went on to say that “comprehensive and co-ordinated Government engagement is essential to help create the environment for industry to deliver growth and jobs”.
Read the full report here
Read more
Revealed: the measures for farming in the Programme for Government
The document sets out the policies the FDII would like the Fine Gael-led minority government to implement to support growth and job creation in the agri-food economy.
FDII director Paul Kelly said: “The key priorities for the food and drink sector run across different parts of government and need to be addressed in a coordinated way.”
Among the policies the FDII is calling for are:
A relentless focus on manufacturing cost competitiveness, particularly Government-influenced costs like energy and waste.Improved access to lower-cost finance to ensure the industry can invest in enabling technology, plant renewal and expansion.Free-trade agreements and market access that are aligned with the needs of all the industry.A continued focus on food sector innovation and skills development with increased budgets for enterprise-led training.Avoidance of discriminatory measures like sugar taxes on beverages, which affect consumers and business alike with no net public health benefit.“The food and drink industry is Ireland’s largest indigenous sector with 230,000 linked jobs,” Kelly said.
“The sector has seen exports grow by over 50% since 2009 to reach €10.8bn in 2015. The strong ambition within the sector is reflected in the €19bn export target in Food Wise 2025.”
Kelly added, however, that this ambition is grounded in the reality that Ireland’s food and drink industry faces many challenges in domestic and export markets.
“These include commodity volatility and market access difficulties; costly and difficult access to finance which is necessary for expansion; import competition in the domestic marketplace and increased calls to impose taxes and restrict choice whilst ignoring positive industry initiatives.”
Kelly went on to say that “comprehensive and co-ordinated Government engagement is essential to help create the environment for industry to deliver growth and jobs”.
Read the full report here
Read more
Revealed: the measures for farming in the Programme for Government
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