Minister Heydon announces fuel support scheme for specialist horticulture
- Foilsithe: 27 Bealtaine 2026
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 27 Bealtaine 2026
Minister Heydon chairs Food Vision 2030 meeting and Horticulture Industry Forum
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, today chaired the 17th meeting of the Food Vision High-Level Implementation Committee (HLIC) and co-chaired his first meeting of the Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF).
Minister Heydon said:
“I am delighted to meet representatives of Ireland’s horticulture sector, a vitally important sector, which is the fifth largest agri-food sector, accounting for around 11% of sectoral employment. The horticulture sector is well on its way to achieving the ambitions set out in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 which seeks to drive change and growth across all the horticulture industry’s sub sectors, contributing to environmental, economic and social sustainability. With support from Irish consumers, there is a significant opportunity to displace imports in favour of fresh, locally grown, in-season quality produce. The sector has been to the fore in investing in innovation, technology and automation to drive efficiency, all supported by my Department.”
The Minister added:
“The horticulture sector, like other sectors, has its challenges with particular impacts on specialist horticulture growers. Recognising these challenges, and following engagement with the sector, I am pleased to inform the Forum today that up to €2 million is being made available for a fuel support scheme for growers producing tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, strawberries and chillies, which are particularly impacted by the recent fuel cost increases. The scheme is due to open next week and will form part of the €100 million allocated by Government for fuel income supports for farmers, fishers and agricultural contractors in response to the Middle East crisis.
At the Food Vision High-Level Implementation Committee, Minister Heydon and the HLIC reviewed the significant progress made in implementing the eight key strategic actions identified in the stakeholder-led National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 since its publication in June 2023. The Mid-Term Review of the National Horticulture Strategy highlighted notable achievements including:
- the increase in the number of producers availing of the Scheme of EU aid for Producers in the fruit and vegetables sector,
- a series of industry supported Bord Bia campaigns promoting the consumption of fresh local produce,
- positive engagement with retailers on the signing of a retail charter supporting Irish producers,
- the pilot for a seasonal employment permit scheme,
- a review of horticulture course curricula,
- the inclusion of horticulture in the Department’s research calls,
- better data capture, and
- over €2 million capital investment and research funding made available for innovative primary producers to diversify and expand their businesses.
Speaking about the importance of the horticulture industry to the Food Vision 2030 objectives, Minister Heydon remarked that:
"While significant progress has been made on the implementation of the National Strategy for Horticulture, there remains more work to be done by all stakeholders to ensure a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by sustainability and innovation. I look forward to working with the Horticulture Industry Forum to drive those actions forward."
Teagasc Director, Frank O’Mara said:
“The 18 strong Horticulture Development Team in Teagasc is an important source of expertise and support for the Irish Horticulture Sector. There are a number of exciting developments being led by Teagasc including the establishment of an Apple Research Orchard, which includes 52 varieties across eight different growing systems. The aim of this programme is to identify apple varieties and growing systems suitable to both the Irish climate and palate to increase domestic apple production and support the substitution of imported fruit.”
The Food Vision HLIC also discussed the latest developments in Food Innovation, the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027, and an update on the Midterm Review of Food Vision 2030.
ENDS
Notes to the editor
Food Vision 2030
Food Vision 2030, Ireland’s stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector, has the potential to transform our agriculture, food, forestry, and marine sectors, with environmental, economic and social sustainability at its core. Food Vision aims for Ireland to be “A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”. Food Vision 2030 was designed using a food systems approach, and is grouped around four high-level Missions:
- Mission 1: A Climate Smart, Environmentally Sustainable Agri-Food Sector
- Mission 2: Viable and Resilient Primary Producers, with Enhanced Wellbeing
- Mission 3: Food that is Safe, Nutritious and Appealing, Trusted and Valued at Home and Abroad
- Mission 4: Innovative, Competitive and Resilient Agri-Food Sector, Driven by Technology and Talent
Each Mission has specific goals and actions. Progress is monitored by the High-Level Implementation Committee, chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and an Annual Report detailing progress is published annually. The Food Vision 2030 dashboard has been updated, displaying baseline environmental, economic and social data for a number of key performance indicators. More information, including a new Food Vision 2030 dashboard is available online at: gov.ie - Food Vision 2030 - A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems.
Horticultural Industry Forum
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.
National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027
The National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 details eight cross-cutting Key Strategic Actions, identified to drive change and growth across all the horticulture industry’s sub sectors leading to environmental, economic and social sustainability for the industry.
The implementation of the Strategy’s eight Key Strategic Actions (KSA) is driving change and growth across all the horticulture industry’s sub sectors, leading on environmental, economic, and social sustainability. A mid-term review was published in Q4 2025. More information is available online at: National Strategy for Horticulture 2023 to 2027