The newly published Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 2008/2009 highlights the importance of the agri-food sector to the Irish economy.

That is according to Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen T.D. who pointed out that the indigenous strengths of the sector were evident from the report, which states that the sector accounts for 6.6% of GDP, 8.5% of employment, and EUR8.1 billion in exports.

Minister Killeen said: “The report indicates that Irish raw materials and services account for a significantly higher proportion of expenditure within the food and drink sector (70%) than for the manufacturing sectors as a whole.  Moreover, 44% of food and drinks companies are located in the BMW regions compared with 30% of other manufacturing industries. In addition, the report shows that the wider biosector contributes approximately one-third of the net flow of funds into the economy generated by manufacturing exports.”

The Minister of State and Clare T.D. also highlighted the significant benefits that the Irish agri-food sector continues to derive from EU membership and from participation in the CAP.  He continued: “The combined net budgetary and trade effects from participation in the CAP in 2008 were estimated at over EUR1.8 billion.”

-ENDS-

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900

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