‘Vital role’ of agriculture in Irish economy is highlighted

AGRICULTURE’s “vital role” in the Irish economy is outlined in the annual report for 2020 of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which was launched last week by Minister Charlie McConalogue.

Commenting on the report, the Minister said: “Despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit uncertainty, agriculture remains Ireland’s most important indigenous industry.

“The agriculture and food sector continued to play a vital role in Ireland’s economy in 2020, contributing 7.1% of total employment, along with agri-food exports accounting for 8.8% of total exports with a value of €14.2 billion.

“The farmers, fishers and food producers are the bedrock of the sector and ensure we can continue to play a key role as one of the leading food exporters in the world. “The Minister said that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine produced this annual report “as an overview of key developments in its work on behalf of Ireland’s agri-food sector”.

He said this year’s publication sets out the major activities undertaken in 2020, as the Department continued to implement the five strategic goals outlined in the Department’s previous Statement of Strategy.

These include promoting and safeguarding public, animal and plant health for the benefit of consumers, producers, and the wider economy, and providing income and market supports that underpin the rural economy and the environment.

The latest Statement of Strategy was published on www.gov.ie in April 2021, supported by the Action Plan for 2021.