Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 June 2023
158. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to including arable produce within the remit of An Bord Bia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29976/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that the promotion of arable crops for food is already covered under the functions of Bord Bia.
A vibrant and sustainable tillage sector is central to increasing Ireland’s food and feed security while also contributing to climate change objectives. Maintaining the current tillage area with an ambition for further growth is therefore an important strategic objective of my Department. This is highlighted in the Food Vision 2030 Strategy and more recently in the Climate Action Plan where a target has been set to grow the area under tillage crops to 400,000 hectares by 2030.
To achieve this objective I recently established the Food Vision 2030 Tillage Group and I hosted its first meeting on 11th May 2023. This group, which includes Bord Bia, brings together all relevant stakeholders to set out a roadmap for the sustainable growth and development of the sector to 2030. I have tasked the group with providing a detailed plan and recommendations by the end of July, with a final plan to be submitted during the final quarter of 2023.
A related Food Vision action is that stakeholders will consider aligning the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme (IGAS) with Origin Green, and this is a matter that can be explored by Bord Bia together with the relevant stakeholders.
