July 22, 2010
Irish leader seeks fishing sector boost for economic growth
The fishing industry should lead the charge back towards Ireland's economic recovery, according to its prime minister.
The Taoiseach Brian Cowen stated that exports-led growth was at the centre of that drive, and along with agriculture and forestry, fishing was central to the plan. The Irish leader laid out his vision, designed to place the agri-food, fishing and forestry sector at the centre of the export-led economic recovery. Food Harvest 2020, a medium term strategy for the development of the agri-food, forestry and fisheries industry, proposes ambitious growth targets for the sector over the next 10 years.
"Our future economic growth will be driven by exports of goods and services which also stimulate activity and employment throughout the rest of the economy." The aim is for fishing and agriculture together to create an extra 4,000 jobs. Brendan Smith, Minister for Agriculture, said, "The Committee has shown that Ireland can grow its exports of fish, other food and beverages by over 40% to EUR12 billion (US$15.39 billion) annually. We can increase the value of primary production by our farmers and fishermen by EUR1.5 billion (US$1.92 billion) and value added in processing by EUR3 billion (US$3.85 billion)," Cowen said.
In a decade, which has started in extremely difficult economic circumstances, the sector can grow and prosper sustainably through the delivery of high quality, safe and naturally based produce. However, Ireland's fishing industry, which has its undoubted success stories, also has its problems. Economists say too many fishing vessels-often registered as individual businesses-are operating on a hand-to-mouth basis, apart from disquiet over the Common Fisheries Policy and the current quota allocation.
Ireland still needs to address a number of structural challenges to meet the competitive challenge of the international marketplace and must focus on consumers who demand the highest quality in production and environmental standards.
