Agriculture and Food

The agriculture and food sector plays a vital role in Ireland’s economy with agri-food exports accounting for 9.5% of total exports (with a value of €14.5 billion in 2019). The agri-food sector makes a significant contribution to employment, accounting for 7.1% of total employment or 164,400 jobs, in rural and coastal areas.

The strategic goals of the department are to:

• promote and safeguard public, animal and plant health and animal welfare for the benefit of consumers and producers and wider society
• provide income and market supports to underpin the rural economy and the environment
• provide the optimum policy framework for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector

Learn more about the work of the department.