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Independent consultant and Horticulture Industry Forum coordinator, Stiofán Nutty, brings us up to date on a range of HIF and related initiatives that are starting to gather momentum HAMILTON LONEY AND BARBARA ERWIN BOTH VICE-CHAIRS OF THE N.I. FORUM AND STIOFÁN NUTTY JUST BEFORE A MEETING OF THE N.I. HORTICULTURE FORUM IN C & L MUSHROOMS, MAYOBRIDGE, CO DOWN
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he HIF Full Forum spring meeting took place on the afternoon of 17 May in Teagasc’s new horticulture, forestry and education complex at Ashtown. That morning marked the official opening of these new facilities. There was a great sense of positivity at the Forum as this major development had clearly given a significant morale boost to everyone working in the industry. Minister Andrew Doyle, who had conducted the official opening of the new Teagasc complex, commented at the start of the Forum meeting that it was great to see that there were now over 100 horticulture students on the Teagasc campus. Updates were provided to the Forum on progress with the HIF workplan that is set out, under four strands, in the Horticulture Industry Vision report. Teagasc leads the Creating Greater Grower Resources strand and is compiling an industry strategy for that will cover R&D, Advisory Services and Education & Training. The strategy is also likely to propose the establishment of a Technology Centre (TC) for horticulture similar to the one that had been set up for meat on the Ashtown campus. This strategy will be presented to the next meeting of the Forum. Bord Bia leads the Market Opportunities strand and is working on initiatives to build on the recently increased Department of Health recommended fresh produce consumption target, from five portions to seven portions per day. Bord Bia continues to work on potential industry collaboration with the health sector to promote the benefits of fresh produce and amenity produce, to fight obesity and improve the mental health of the nation. Strong export opportunities are envisaged for organic produce by Bord Bia and it was therefore timely that this meeting heralded the attendance by the Organic Growers of Ireland (OGI) at the Forum with observer status. Una Wycherley will act as the OGI representative. The IFA leads the Public Policy strand and updated on a number of areas including the launch of their Sustainability Charter to combat below cost selling. It was interesting to learn that although the Charter did not receive extensive printed media coverage, the social media reach of the campaign was a success. Given the increasing incidence of extreme weather, the IFA has been engaging with the insurance industry to explore better options for producers to protect themselves from this growing risk. The meeting agreed to develop proposals for
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severe weather provision for the industry. The recently announced new pilot work permit programme for the industry, whereby producers can apply for permits to employ workers from outside the EU, was welcomed by the Forum. However, it was recognised that that this pilot programme would not solve the labour crisis and that the challenge of securing a sustainable supply of labour would continue for some time to come. To help, the HIF is now developing a draft labour strategy for the medium to long term, which includes a survey of a representative sample of producers in both the edible and non-food sectors. This work is being funded by Teagasc and the results will be returned at the next Forum meeting. A very positive update on progress with the Greater Grower Collaboration strand was delivered to the meeting. Since the beginning of the year, the DAFM has been hosting a series of seminars and workshop events on the benefits and practicalities of forming Producer Organisations (POs). On 13 June, the DAFM organised a further session with PO consultant experts Guy Claessens (Belgium) and Frank Corbally (Ireland) outlining how POs work and deliver for producers. The day concluded with a visit to Quality Green PO member Jim O’Rourke, Monsport Nursery, Swords, Co Dublin and participants got a first-hand account from Jim of how PO membership is contributing and working for him from a grower perspective. If you would like to learn more about POs and/or about the current PO pilot programme please contact the DAFM horticulture section on 01 505 8600. In April, I was invited to present to the Northern Ireland Horticulture Forum on the operation and progress being made
