Going for Growth - a strategic action plan
Agri-food is one of the our most successful industries. It has a proven track record for growth with sales of over £4bn per year and accounts for around 10 per cent of our private sector employment.
Developing the strategy
Recognising the importance of the industry, the NI Executive included a commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a strategic action plan for the agri-food sector.
In May 2012, DARD and DETI appointed the industry led Agri-Food Strategy Board (AFSB) to make recommendations in respect of the growth targets, strategic priorities and actions to be included in that Plan.
The AFSB undertook extensive consultation with the agri-food industry and other stakeholders and developed a report, Going for Growth, which includes more than 100 recommendations aimed at accelerating the growth of farming, fishing and food and drink processing in Northern Ireland to 2020 and beyond.
The action plan
In response to Going for Growth, the NI Executive has agreed an action plan, outlining actions to be progressed across relevant Departments and Agencies.
In February 2015, the DARD and DETI Ministers announced the re-appointment of the Agri-Food Strategy Board for a further two years. The Board will take forward the industry-led actions and provide advice to Executive Departments and Agencies on a range of issues affecting the agri-food sector.
The following updates are available to demonstrate progress against those actions where Executive Departments have lead responsibility:
A Formal Progress Report is available at the link below:
The membership of the Agri-Food Strategy Board came to the end of its tenure on 31 August 2017.
Papers relating to the AFSB can be accessed via the PRONI Web Archive at the following link:
http://webarchive.proni.gov.uk/*/http://www.agrifoodstrategyboard.org.uk