Minister Hackett co-chairs the Spring meeting of the now bi-annual Horticulture Industry Forum
- Published on: 13 May 2024
- Last updated on: 20 September 2024
Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity with special responsibility for Horticulture, Senator Pippa Hackett, today co-chaired the spring meeting of Horticulture Industry Forum (13 May 2024).
Members of the forum heard from Niamh Lenehan of the Agri Food Regulator and Robert Malone of the IFA and were also updated on the progress of the Key Strategic Actions contained in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023 – 2027 that was published at the beginning of June last year.
Minister Hackett noted:
“We had a very productive meeting today, and there are a number of action points raised by the sector that I've taken away for consideration and to follow up on. It was positive to hear of the collaborate engagement and progress that has been made on implementing a number of the Key Strategy Actions in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023 – 2027. The IFA’s work on developing a charter between retailers, consolidators and growers is very encouraging and I was also delighted to hear of the focus the Agri-Food-Regulator is placing on the horticulture sector.”
The Minister also heard at first hand from growers on the status of the subsectors with the challenging weather conditions, access to labour and tight margins cited as particular causes for concern. The new relief provisions for Carbon Tax which commenced on 1 April 2024 were welcomed by the protected crop and mushroom sector and the development of the new research orchard at Teagasc’s Oak Park in Carlow was also praised.
Notes
Link to the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027
The Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF) was formed as a stakeholder group to facilitate a cooperative approach to the challenges that face the industry and to foster conditions that will grow and develop the industry on a long-term basis. It was formed in 2014 as an umbrella organisation for growers of Irish horticulture produce.
Representatives from all the seven participating sectors, vegetables, mushrooms, soft fruit, top fruit, potatoes, amenity and protected crops gave an overview of their key challenges and issues.