Ireland’s Food Vision 2030: New sustainable food strategy announced at UN summit

26 Jul 2021 --- Ireland’s new Food Vision 2030 strategy for Ireland’s food sector is being outlined by Charlie McConalogue, Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The presentation is being delivered in Rome, Italy, at a major UN food systems summit. 

“The bedrock of our pioneering and innovative agri-food sector is our farmers, fishers and food producers as well as our processing sector,” he comments. “Each of these are constantly evolving and advancing their ambitions to drive ambition in our sector.”

“Ireland has a rich history in producing safe, traceable and sustainable food. By taking key steps now, we are ensuring that our future is as bright as our past.”

The UK’s recently approved Food Vision 2030 – A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems is a strategy developed by a committee of agri-food stakeholders. It envisages a “transformational pathway” for the Irish F&B sector based on the three pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental and social. 

Food Vision 2030 envisages a “transformational pathway” for the Irish F&B sector based on the three pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental and social.The strategy will be officially launched in the coming weeks.

Four high-level missions
The strategy is a framework for the agri-food sector that revolves around four high-level missions:

• A climate-smart, environmentally sustainable agri-food sector.
• Viable and resilient primary producers with enhanced well-being.
• Food that is “safe, nutritious and appealing,” trusted at home and abroad.
• An innovative, competitive and resilient sector, driven by technology and talent. 

“I have traveled to Rome to represent everyone of Ireland’s farmers, fishers and food producers at the Pre-Summit of the UN Food Systems Summit, with a message that Ireland’s agri-food sector is committed to the pathway to Sustainable Food Systems,” comments McConalogue.

He believes that Ireland’s experience of two decades of producing pioneering food strategies, will be of interest internationally.

Ireland makes moves toward green farming
Among recent developments, Glanbia Ireland recently pledged to achieve a 30 percent absolute reduction in carbon emissions from its processing sites by 2030 and will work with its dairy farmers toward a similar cut in carbon intensity from milk production.

With plant-based meat analogs widely acknowledged as a sustainable solution to lowering the carbon impact of food systems, Ireland’s taste and nutrition company Kerry has been focused on beefing up its savory taste solutions. The company recently brought VegTec to market, a flavor delivery system that provides a juicy and succulent mouthfeel in plant-based products.

The Irish agri-food sector stands to receive over €1 billion (US$1.18 billion) (25 percent) from the EU Brexit fund in 2021. However, local industry stakeholders under Food Drink Ireland have called for targeted support measures in the sector that will help businesses stay buoyant during the transitional period.

Edited by Benjamin Ferrer