Minister Heydon launches the third Food Vision 2030 Annual Report and announces mid-term review

At the National Ploughing Championships today, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, launched the Food Vision 2030 Annual Report for 2024. The report highlights the strong progress made by the agri-food sector over the past year, reaffirming Ireland’s position as a global leader in sustainable food systems.

Minister Heydon said:

“Food Vision 2030 continues to guide us as a living, responsive strategy for the future

of Irish food. This year’s report demonstrates the commitment of our farmers, fishers, foresters and food producers to sustainability, innovation and collaboration. The results achieved in 2024 show the progress possible when we work together to build a strong, sustainable and resilient agri-food sector”.

Minister Heydon also announced that a mid-term review of Food Vision 2030 will be undertaken:

“As we enter the second half of this decade, it is timely to reflect on what has been achieved and to formally consider how Food Vision 2030 can evolve further. This review will ensure that it remains ambitious, focused, and responsive to evolving challenges and opportunities. I want to acknowledge the collective effort of all those involved across the sector. Together, we are building an Irish food system that is sustainable, resilient and trusted, one that delivers for farmers, rural communities, consumers and the environment”.

Key highlights from the Food Vision 2030 Annual Report 2024

Over the past year, the sector delivered progress across all four Missions, with agri-food exports reaching a record €19 billion in 2024. Key achievements highlighted in the Annual Report include the publication of Ireland’s first National Biomethane Strategy and National Organic Strategy, the launch of the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) and the Better Farming for Water Campaign, the opening of the Native Woodland Conservation (NWC) Scheme and the continued expansion of the Origin Green Programme.

Further significant developments included the Dairy Calf to Beef Action Plan, the Women in Agriculture National Action Plan, the Food Vision Tillage Group Final Report, the introduction of the €20 million Beef Welfare Scheme, the €15 million Sheep Welfare Scheme, the National Seafood Development Programme with a budget of €258.4 million, continued Teagasc Sustainability Reporting and the Farm Safety Awareness Campaign, alongside the National Farm Safety Measure.

Innovation and knowledge transfer were further supported through the opening of the BIA Innovator Campus; increased funding for the Thematic Research Call, bringing the overall funding to €46 million; increased funding for the Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Initiative (JRI), bringing the total joint investment since the initiative was launched to €19.7 million; and the publication of the Sustainable Food Systems Ireland Statement of Strategy. Ireland also significantly increased its funding to the World Food Programme to €105 million over the next three years.