A HEARTFELT call to move swiftly forward with a food export marketing body went out to ministers and MLAs yesterday at the launch of Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association's (NIFDA) 2016 Manifesto.
A raft of measures were set out by the body at Parliament Buildings, with the aim to create thousands more jobs in the local food and drink sector over the next three years.
However, NIFDA chairman, Dr David Dobbin, said the local industry needed the "continued support" of the NI Executive and Assembly if it was to continue to grow existing and new export markets.
"Our target is to grow the industry's turnover to £7 billion by 2020 and create 15,000 new jobs as outlined in the 'Going for Growth' report," Dr Dobbin said.
"In the NIFDA Manifesto we outline a range of issues which require the Executive's support to create an environment which will improve our international competitiveness and allow us to generate sustainable growth through increased export sales."
To help make this a reality, he urged the Executive to move forward with the implementation of a food export marketing body as a priority item.
"As Northern Ireland’s largest employer, we believe that agri-food sector should be the cornerstone of the Executive’s economic strategy," Dr Dobbin added.
"We call on the Executive to work with us to keep our cost and skill base internationally competitive and help market our excellent food and drink products, especially in key external markets."
The NIFDA chairman said other challenges also needed to be addressed, including higher energy costs and rates relief for food manufacturers, as well as continued support for innovation and technology advancements.
"We have an excellent platform upon which to grow the sector - with world class innovation, food security and quality standards - and we are confident that with continued government support the industry will continue to be a leading light in the local economy," he said.
