The strategy is to be developed by a by a committee of leading figures from the agri-food sector.

Former Glanbia MD John Moloney will chair the committee. Minister Coveney has also opened a public consultation on the strategy, with submissions invited from both organisations and individuals.

The strategy will set out the key actions required to maximise the contribution of the agricultural sector to economic growth, job creation and environmental sustainability over the next decade.

The Minister says he expects the new strategy to be published in July 2015.

On taking up the role, John Moloney said: “I firmly believe from my own experience that there are tremendous opportunities for the sector on EU and global markets today and over the next ten years. To take full advantage of them, we will need to address a range of challenges in a coherent and determined fashion. “

In order to facilitate and guide consideration of the issues which the Committee will address, the Department and the relevant state agencies have prepared a series of background papers. These background documents, together with a questionnaire for the public consultation, are now available on the Department’s website www.agriculture.gov.ie/2025strategy.

Submissions should be sent, preferably by email to 2025strategy@agriculture.gov.ie, or by post to Economics and Planning Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Floor 6 Centre, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 marked “Submission on national agri-food strategy to 2025”. The deadline for receipt of submissions is Friday the 9 January.

The Minister also announced the opening of tenders for an Environmental Analysis of the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy (incorporating an Appropriate Assessment and a Strategic Environment Assessment). Details are available on www.etenders.gov.ie. The closing date for tenders is midday on Friday the 9 January.