The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine hosts a major Food Wise conference today (December 4) in Croke Park – which AgriLand is showing live right here.

The conference is titled ‘Food Wise Conference: Challenge, Ambition, Opportunity’; it will feature a who’s who of prominent figures in Irish agriculture and agri-business.

Beginning at 8:30am this morning, the event covers a range of topics throughout the day, under four headings: ‘Global Market Insights’; ‘Policy Drivers’; ‘Environmental Sustainability and Agri-Food’; and ‘Food Wise: Impact in a New Era’.

The conference comprises a mix of presentations and panel discussions.

Speaking in advance of the conference, Minister Michael Creed said: “The theme of our conference is ‘Food Wise – Challenge, Ambition, Opportunity’ – and it will hear from a range of speakers on these themes, including: the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar; EU Commissioner Phil Hogan; Laura Burke, Director of the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency]; and John Moloney, who led the Food Wise 2025 committee – back in 2015.

“There have been some calls for a moderation of the Food Wise ambition in the light of Brexit,” Minister Creed noted.

However, I believe this is no time to step back. The targets set for 2020 in the previous iteration of our current agri-food strategy are on course to be achieved well ahead of schedule, and they too appeared optimistic at the time.

“Of course, while pursuing growth opportunities, we must recognise the challenges, including the very real environmental challenges, facing the sector and take positive steps to deal with them,” the minister added.

“I hope that today will inspire all involved in the sector – farmers, processors and government – to re-double our shared commitment to achieving the Food Wise 2025 vision for the sustainable growth of the sector.”