An improved capacity to manage higher exchange
rates was also demonstrated by exporters, placing
the overall sector on a very sound footing.
Frank Ryan, Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland
was very positive about developments in the sector
when he said,
“With regard to the food industry, we were very
happy with the results that Bord Bía posted this
week with regard to the export performance of
our largest indigenous industry – the food sector.
There is an old image of food in Ireland being
very commodity-based. Now however, we are
increasingly focused on food ingredients and
functional foods. This space has actually become
very hi-tech and we make sure that Ireland remains
at the cutting-edge of international best practice
in this field. A number of hugely successful
international brand names in this sphere emanate
from Ireland including the Kerry Group, Glanbía
and Dairy Gold”.
The strategy of Bord Bía has been clearly mapped
out in the strategic priorities document,
‘Pathways for Growth’ that was produced in
collaboration with David Bell and Mary Shelman of
Harvard Business School and in ‘Food Harvest
2020’, a comprehensive report from the Department
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Cotter outlines that “Food Harvest 2020 was based
on a forensic analysis by a consultative group of 30
experts, that produced 209 recommendations.”
“The Irish Agri-food industry accounts for 16%
of total industrial sector output, generating export
revenues of €8 billion”, he explains, “Our goal is
to work with the industry to grow exports to €12
billion over the next ten years.”
Cotter intends to expand the industry’s horizons
under the banner of “Smart Green Growth”.
Capitalising on Ireland’s association with all
things green affords the industry the opportunity
to align ‘Brand Ireland’ with the ethos of green
produce and production methods. The industry
development plans therefore call for a range of new
implementations in the agri-industry that will lend
credence to this forthcoming brand identity.
According to the Food Harvest 2020 plan, “this
‘green’ image must be refined and substantiated with
scientific evidence and communicated effectively
over the coming decade if Ireland’s commitment to
sustainability and the implementation of world-class
environmental practices is to become a platform for
export growth”.
Bord Bía is working closely with the Carbon Trust
on one such green initiative. 200 farms are currently
participating in a pilot programme whereby their
environmental performance is evaluated and upon
meeting the requisite standards, accredited by the
Carbon Trust. Once successfully completed, this
programme will be rolled out to all of Ireland’s
32,000 farms.
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