The Independent Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Agri-Food Sector (ISRAF) was published today, January 26, 2022. This was announced by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots and Economy Minister Gordon Lyons.
The report explores the challenges and opportunities that the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland faces. Led by Sir Peter Kendall, the review team met with a range of stakeholders in 2021, and produced its findings and established a set of recommendations for both government and Industry.
“I very much welcome this review which identifies the strategic priorities for the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland. The report produced by Sir Peter and his team is considered, demands our attention and I believe contains much that the industry will support,” Minister Poots said. “
Given the many recommendations I want time to consider it fully. In the meantime, I would very much welcome comments and feedback from stakeholders across the industry.”
Minister Lyons added that he would “be paying particular attention to those recommendations which relate to the food-processing sector. It will also be important to consider the review in the context of my Department’s 10X Vision for the Northern Irish economy – delivering more innovative, sustainable and inclusive growth over the next decade.”
“I would encourage stakeholders, from across the industry, to come forward with their thoughts and views on the review recommendations.”
Recommendation themes for government:
– Embrace the smart use of data and the opportunities it creates
– Create a Northern Ireland diamond to deliver green growth
– Demonstrate the sector’s sustainability through a new sustainability body
– Be ambitious on net zero
– Aim high on environmental scorecards
– Boost investment by large food businesses
– Focus on trading arrangements beyond Great Britain
– Tackle skills and labour supply
– Innovate
– Design an agricultural policy that drives change
– Entice talent and entrepreneurship
Sir Kendall expressed that this “is a game-changing moment for Northern Ireland agri-food, which demands that our recommendations are worked on by everyone. I’m not saying it will be easy – re-booting after Brexit, meeting climate change targets and repairing the environment are enormous asks,” he stated.
“It can be done. The smart use of data can revolutionise the sector’s competitiveness and enable Northern Ireland agri-food to stand squarely behind a ‘best certified food in the world’ claim,” he concluded.
Read more here.
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