Dan MacSweeney has agreed to stay on for a second term as chair of Bord Bia, having first been appointed to this role in 2018, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has confirmed.

The announcement came following a meeting between Department of Agriculture and Bord Bia on Wednesday to examine plans for market development for Irish food and drink over the course of 2021.

Minister McConalogue said: “Dan brings a huge depth of experience and enthusiasm to the role of chair, and those qualities are more important than ever in leading the Bord Bia Board in the current online format.”

Strong performance

Minister McConalogue was also joined at the meeting by Minister of State Heydon, Bord Bia chair Dan MacSweeney and CEO Tara McCarthy.

Minister of State Heydon said: “We will continue to work together to provide proof to our trade customers and consumers, wherever they may be, that Irish food meets the highest standards of food safety, sustainability and welfare.”

With total agri-food exports last year at €14.3bn this reflects a strong performance by our food and drink industry

The discussion included Bord Bia’s new market development priorities, import substitution opportunities, operating in the post-Brexit world, and customer and farmer engagement.

Minister McConalogue continued: “With total agri-food exports last year at €14.3bn this reflects a strong performance by our food and drink industry, supported by Bord Bia, and considering the challenges posed by COVID-19 and Brexit.

“We have a shared focus on ensuring we are doing everything we can to deliver for primary and secondary producers. Agri food is our largest indigenous sector and is critical to balanced economic development.”

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Dan MacSweeney is to be new Bord Bia chair