Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed opened the first meeting of the stakeholder committee that will develop the agri-food strategy to 2030 on Thursday 28 November.

“Since their inception 20 years ago, up to the current Food Wise 2025 plan, a rolling series of 10-year strategies have ensured that we have a coherent, stakeholder-led vision to underpin the development of the sector,” said Minister Creed.

Growth

He outlined the success of the strategies, evidenced by a 73% growth in agri-food exports since 2009. “I am sure that environmental sustainability, including climate, biodiversity and water, will be a key issue to be considered by the committee. Equally, expanding our footprint globally, innovation and competitiveness will be priorities for the industry,” he added.

Minister Creed said he was aware of the need to ensure a good representation of various parts of the sector and he is happy that the chosen individuals accepted his invitation to participate.

Committee chair Tom Arnold said: “The development of the Agri-Food Strategy to 2030 will provide the opportunity to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the sector, the threats and opportunities facing it, and to specify appropriate development pathways.”

Committee members:

  • Tom Arnold, chair.
  • Sharon Buckley, group commercial director, Musgraves.
  • Laura Burke, director general, EPA.
  • Ailish Byrne, head of agri, Ulster Bank.
  • Kieran Calnan, chair, Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
  • Philip Carroll, chair, IBEC Meat Industry Ireland.
  • Frank Convery, senior partner, EnvEcon.
  • Thomas Duffy, Macra na Feirme president.
  • Brendan Dunford, manager, Burren Programme.
  • Julie Ennis, country president, Sodexo Ireland.
  • Paul Finnerty, co-founder and chair of Yield Lab Europe.
  • Joe Healy, IFA president.
  • Thia Hennessy, dean and chair of agri-economics, UCC.
  • Liam Herlihy, chair, Teagasc.
  • Caroline Keeling, CEO, Keelings.
  • Jerry Long, president, ICOS.
  • Oliver Loomes, chair, IBEC Drinks Ireland and Ireland director and chair, Diageo.
  • Dan McSweeney, chair, Bord Bia.
  • Pat McCormack, president, ICMSA.
  • Tom Moran, former secretary general, DAFM.
  • Brian Murphy, chair, IBEC Forest Industries Ireland and CEO, Balcas.
  • Pat Murphy, chair, IBEC Dairy industry Ireland and CEO, Kerry Ireland.
  • Larry Murrin, IBEC Prepared Consumer Foods Council and CEO, Dawn Farm Foods.
  • Colm O'Donnell, president, INHFA.
  • Sean O'Donoghue, CEO, Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation.
  • Dolores O'Riordan, director, UCD Institute for Food and Health.
  • Terence O'Rourke, chair, Enterprise Ireland.
  • Edmond Phelan, president, ICSA.
  • Alice Stanton, professor, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
  • Siobhán Talbot, CEO, Glanbia.
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