The Irish Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Michael Healy-Rae said he wants to the Irish horticulture sector to "grow and flourish". The minister made the comments in response to a recent parliamentary question from Dublin Fingal West TD Robert O'Donoghue.
The Labour Party TD asked if the minister would introduce a dedicated funding stream or expand grant supports for domestic fruit and vegetable growers, due to Ireland's "heavy reliance on imports in these sectors". Deputy O'Donoghue added that this is "a situation that is unsustainable in the long term".
He also asked the minister what measures were being taken to strengthen local horticultural production and national food security. Minister Healy-Rae said the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 provides "a road map for the horticulture industry to ensure the future economic, social and environmental sustainability of this crucial sector".
"The strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a road map for the sector to achieve this potential," he said.
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