Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle T.D., today attended the inaugural meeting of the new Organic Strategy Implementation Group. The purpose of this Group is to drive the implementation of the new Organic Sector Strategy 2019 – 2025 and the 27 overarching cross-sectoral actions.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Doyle said; “I am delighted to attend the inaugural meeting of the Organic Strategy Implementation Group. Implementation of the actions identified within this Strategy is a priority and critical to the further development of the Organic Sector in Ireland. In this strategy, we have delivered an ambitious blueprint for the Irish Organic food sector and it is implementation must be a key priority for all if this ambition is to be realised.”
This new Group is similar in structure to the Food Wise 2025 Implementation Group with a core Implementation Group comprising of representatives of the relevant State Agencies and Organic Control Bodies to which lead roles have been assigned in the new Strategy. Accordingly, the Group comprises of representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc, Bord Bia, BIM and the Organic Control Bodies. It is chaired by Martin Heraghty who also chaired the Organic Strategy Group. From an operational perspective, this new Implementation Group will mirror the Food Wise 2025 implementation process by inviting representatives from other organisations to meetings so that all interested bodies have an opportunity to input.
Acknowledging the commitment and resolve of stakeholders to further develop the Sector to its full potential, Minister Doyle paid tribute to the work of the Organic Strategy Group which resulted in the publication of the Organic Food Sector Strategy; with all stakeholders working together, availing of the opportunities that exist, I believe the future is bright for the Organic Sector in Ireland.”
The Organic Strategy Implementation Group is due to meet bi-annually and will report periodically to the Food Wise 2025 High-Level Implementation Group.
