Play your part in increasing sustainability within the fruit and veg sector.

3rd April 2017

You have until April 26th to have your say on a new strategic framework helping farmers and growers in the fruit and veg sector become more sustainable and profitable.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is inviting submissions from all interested parties on a new National Strategy and Environmental Framework for Producer Organisations in the Fruit & Vegetable Sector

Speaking about the initiative, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle commented that the, “National Strategy and Environmental Framework will set out the  priorities through which improving the competitiveness of the fruit and vegetable sector and increasing sustainability of production can be achieved.

The environmental actions will be targeted towards meeting Ireland’s commitments under climate change, nature biodiversity and waste.  All environmental actions proposed under the National Environmental Framework will be screened to assess the need for a Strategic Environmental Assessment.

This follows on from Ireland’s first ever action group on food waste in the retail sector being set up by the Department of Communication, Climate Change and the Environment.

The EPA estimates that Irish households waste 700  euro worth of food each year, which is an average of eighty kg per person and 60% of all food wasted is avoidable. Two tonnes of food waste is created every minute.

Written submissions to this public consultation can be made up to 26th April 2017. This consultation will conclude at 5:00pm on 26th April 2017. Submissions received after the closing date will not be considered.

You can make a submission:

  1.  By email to the following email address only: POScheme@agriculture.gov.ie

Email submissions must include in the subject heading “(National Strategy)”

Or

  1. Writing to the following address: Producer Organisation Scheme, Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine, Admin Building, Backweston Campus, Celbridge, Co Kildare.
About the Author

Eric Maher

Eric Maher is a contributor to the Green News. He has a Masters in Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama from UCD.