Ireland: Produce conference in Dublin underway
The conference is an opportunity for those involved in the sector to meet and talk about relevant political and economic developments.
It will discuss a number of issues including marketing innovation and the reform of the new Common Market Organization (CMO) for fruit and vegetables.
Conference attendees will also have the opportunity to get to know the Irish fruit and vegetable sector more closely. The can visit either CMP (Commercial Mushroom Producers) in Monaghan, Ireland’s largest mushroom producer organisation representing 90% of Irish mushroom production and growers. Or they can visit the head office of Keelings in Dublin. Keelings is a 100% Irish-owned family business, focused on growing, sourcing, marketing, and distributing fresh produce.
Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Horticulture Tom Hayes welcomed delegates from producer organisations across Europe and highlighted the very competitive environment in which fruit and vegetable producers operate. He referred to the dominance of the multiple sector in Ireland, and across the EU, and said that “an effective producer organisation offers producers the best opportunity to address issues relating to their scale of production and their limited bargaining”.
Minister Hayes also highlighted the need for certainty in the operation of the EU Producer Organisation Scheme, and welcomed Commissioner Hogan's commitments in relation to the simplification of the fruit and vegetables regime.
Source: farmersjournal.ie