Agri Food Strategy Board Launches Call for Evidence

06 August 2012

The Agri-Food Strategy Board announces a Call for Evidence in respect of the development of a Strategic Plan for the agri-food sector.

Tony O’Neill, Chair of the Agri-Food Strategy Board said “the importance of the agri-food sector to the Northern Ireland economy has been recognised in the Executive's Programme for Government 2011-2015 and Economic Strategy”.

“To follow through on this commitment the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment have appointed the Agri-Food Strategy Board to develop an action based and market led Strategic Plan for the sector”.

He said that “the agri-food sector plays a significant role in the Northern Ireland economy. The sector contributes in the region of £1 billion per annum of value added and has demonstrated a strong track record of export growth. However, the global demand for food is growing and the Agri-Food Strategy Board believes there are real opportunities for the Northern Ireland agri-food sector to grow further”.

Tony O’Neill added “it will be essential that the Strategic Plan recognises the requirements of all of the stakeholders and sub-sectors that comprise our agri-food industry, not only agri-food producers and processors of all sizes, but also the myriad of support partners that make up the wider supply chain. The Board is therefore seeking evidence from stakeholders about what they consider to be the challenges and priorities. The information we receive from stakeholders will be crucial if we are to develop a Strategic Plan that will have a positive impact on the agri-food sector”.

Tony O’Neill concluded “I would encourage all stakeholders to take this opportunity and to provide their views as part of the Call for Evidence process”.

The closing date for the Call for Evidence Friday 14 September 2012. Submissions should be made by email to info@agrifoodstrategyboard.org.uk, by post to AFSB Support Branch, Room 654, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB.

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Call for Evidence documents can we downloaded from: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/call-for-evidence

http://www.detini.gov.uk/index/agrifoodstrategyboardcallforevidence.htm.

http://www.investni.com/agri_food_strategy_board–call_for_evidence.doc

For further information please contact 028 90524517 or email info@agrifoodstrategyboard.org.uk.

2. The Agri-Food Strategy Board has been appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to provide strategic advice to the Northern Ireland Executive, taking account of the wide range of sectors and stakeholders.

3. The Board will outline the longer term Strategic Plan for the sector and a key objective will be the identification of growth targets, strategic priorities and actions to achieve the expected strategic outcomes. The Board will also advise on implementation and the resources necessary to deliver these strategic outcomes.

4. The Board members are:

Chair

. Tony O’Neill (Convenience Foods & New Business Director, Moy Park and Chair of NIFDA)

Industry Members

. Declan Billington (Managing Director of John Thompson and Sons Ltd, current director of NIFDA and former Chair of CBI (2006-08))

. Owen Brennan (Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of Devenish Nutrition; current President of NI Grain Trade Association)

. Dr David Dobbin (Group Chief Executive of United Dairy Farmers and Invest NI Board member)

. Jim Dobson (Group Managing Director and co-owner of Dunbia)

. Trevor Lockhart (Chief Executive of Fane Valley Co-operative Society, Chairman of Linergy and Linden Foods and former Chair of the Industry Advisory Panel)

. Ian Marshall (Dairy farmer, Deputy President UFU and AgriSearch Trustee)

. Francis Martin (Managing Partner of BDO Northern Ireland and Past President of NI Chamber of Commerce)

. John Thompson (Dairy farmer, former UFU President and original AgriSearch Trustee)

Government Members

. Dr Mark Browne, Deputy Secretary (Deputy Secretary Policy, DARD)

. David Small, Deputy Secretary (Deputy Secretary Delivery, DARD)

. Jeremy Fitch (Managing Director, Clients Group Business International, Invest NI)

. Dr Graeme Hutchinson (Director, Economic Policy, DETI)