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Coveney welcomes 2016 Action Plan for Jobs: "These actions will further improve the existing supports for employment and growth in the sector"
Minister Coveney welcomed today’s launch of the 2016 Action Plan for Jobs.
“The agri-food and marine sector, our largest indigenous industry, has already played a major role in driving economic recovery through export-led growth”. “The sector plays a crucial role in providing direct and indirect employment in every part of rural Ireland,” the Minister stated.
Last week’s announcement by Bord Bia that food and drinks exports were worth €10.8 billion in 2015 underlines the importance of the sector to the economy (representing an increase of 51% since 2009).
The specific agri-food and marine actions in the 2016 Action Plan for Jobs are aligned with the Food Wise 2025 strategy for the sustainable growth of the sector over the next decade.
Highlights include the establishment of a Consumer Insights Centre by Bord Bia; the launch of the Meat Technology Centre; and an array of new supports under the Seafood Development Programme.
The Minister concluded “I am confident that the commitments in the 2016 Action Plan for Jobs will further improve the existing supports for employment and growth in the sector”.
ENDS