Minister Creed launches Annual Review and Outlook 2018
03 September 2018
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, today launched the Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2018.
Minister Creed stated “Agriculture is Ireland’s most important indigenous industry, with the agri-food sector continuing to play a vital role in Ireland’s economy, with a turnover of €26 billion, contributing 7.8% of GNI* and generating over 11% of total exports in 2017. Employing over 174,000 people the sector makes a significant contribution to employment, particularly in rural and coastal areas”.
The Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2018 brings together information from a variety of sources to provide a detailed examination of Ireland’s agri-food sector, and an outlook for the future. This year’s publication includes chapters on farm incomes and structures, agricultural commodities and inputs, trade, forestry and climate change.
Case studies throughout highlight topics including women in agriculture, social farming initiatives funded through the “Rural Innovation and Development Fund”, the future of CAP post 2020 and the launch of a new online international market access tool. The portal (http://www.marketaccess.agriculture.gov.ie/) was developed by the Department as part its Action Plan on intensifying international market access, a key Brexit response, and in line with the “Market Development" theme of the Food Wise 2025 strategy. The portal provides information across some of the major export sectors of dairy, meat, seafood and live animals.
Minister Creed concluded “The policy framework of the agri-food sector needs to evolve and change in response to European and international developments, such as CAP reform, Brexit and trade policy. I believe a strong evidence base is essential for policy formation and implementation and am confident that the information and statistics included in the Annual Review and Outlook will assist in policy analysis and debate in the sector over the next year”.
Note for Editors:
Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2018 along with previous iterations can be found on the Department’s website at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/agri-foodindustry/agri-foodandtheeconomy/economicpublications/
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed T.D, today launched the Department’s Annual Review and Outlook 2018. L-R: Chief Economist for the Department Séan Bell, Minister Creed and Department staff member Gráinne Roughan.
ENDS
Original Press Release, click here.
