Independent consultant and Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF) Coordinator, Stiofán Nutty, introduces plans by the HIF to create a new vision for the sector
Major progress in the development of the Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF) has been achieved in recent months. One of HIF’s main objectives has been to make the Forum as
representative of the entire horticulture industry as possible and to facilitate maximum engagement of the key industry stakeholders. Chairman Brian O’Reilly initiated dialogue with the Minister for Horticulture to seek formal engagement by the Minister and the
Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine with the Forum.
These talks proved successful and at the 22 March meeting of the full Forum of HIF, co-chaired by Minister Andrew Doyle TD and Brian O’Reilly, DAFM became an associate member joining Bord Bia, Teagasc and the IFA who are also associate members of HIF. The
Minister of Horticulture and his officials will continue to attend the meetings of the full Forum, which takes place two to three times per year. In addition to the field, vegetable, mushroom, soft fruit, top fruit and protected crop sectors that had originally formed the HIF, the potato and amenity sectors also joined the HIF at the 22 March meeting. The potato sector will be represented by Eddie Doyle and the amenity sector by Val Farrell.
These very positive developments will enable the industry to work even closer together to progress commercial horticulture in Ireland.
To build on this progress, the HIF is now compiling a document which will set out a vision for the industry. This document will come before the next full Forum meeting for approval in the autumn. Once approved the vision will determine the work agenda of HIF and set
targets with timelines for the industry and HIF will oversee the implementation of this work programme.
In addition to the on-going problem of below-cost selling, all operators across the industry are experiencing increasing difficulties in recruiting staff. HIF made a submission in April to the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs setting out the case for making horticulture an eligible category for a work permit programme. Others including the IFA also made submissions supporting such a change. Currently, horticulture is not an eligible category for a work permit programme but it is hoped that this situation will be changed.
Below cost selling, Brexit and labour shortages are among the major challenges currently facing the industry. HIF is now in a stronger position to facilitate the industry to work together to meet these challenges, set a development agenda for horticulture and unlock the potential of our industry. ✽
STIOFÁN NUTTY has been involved in commercial horticulture for nearly 30 years. In that time he has built an expansive experience and knowledge base across the horticultural spectrum.
He has owned and operated a nursery business, an award-winning garden centre, worked extensively in education and TV and was appointed as special advisor to the Minister for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargent. In 2010 he was appointed as
special advisor to the Minister for Sustainable Transport, Horticulture, Planning and Heritage Ciaran Cuffe. In the past three years, Stiofán has facilitated and moderated eight European conferences in Brussels. In 2015, he was appointed as coordinator of the Horticulture Industry Forum.
