2651. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a strategy to support the production and development of plant-based foods in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59670/26]

The Government is committed to supporting the sustainable development of Ireland's plant-based food production sectors. This work is being progressed through a number of sectoral strategies and initiatives, including the Food Vision Tillage Group report and the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023–2027.

The report of the Food Vision Tillage Group sets out the roadmap for the sustainable growth and development of the tillage sector. Implementation of the recommendations is ongoing, with progress reviewed regularly by the Food Vision Tillage Group.

Considerable work has been undertaken to achieve greater recognition of the sustainability of Irish grain, along with securing new and expanded value-added opportunities. Substantial work has also been undertaken across a range of other key themes identified in the Food Vision Tillage Group report, including the availability of and access to land, competitiveness and efficiency, environmental sustainability. Additionally, significant funding has been provided for research focusing on areas such as the sustainability of protein production, new added-value opportunities to support the expansion of plant protein production, and the feasibility of organic feed milling and oilseed processing in Ireland.

My Department will continue to work closely with stakeholders to advance implementation of the report's recommendations, recognising that their successful delivery requires ongoing collaboration and commitment from many stakeholders across the sector.

The National Strategy for Horticulture 2023 to 2027 similarly sets down a clear, stakeholder-led vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability, and provides a roadmap for the sector to achieve this potential. The Horticulture Industry Forum leads on the implementation of the Strategy. The eight key strategic actions cover challenges and opportunities around distribution channels, labour, succession planning, input costs, research and development, and innovation.

Together, these strategies provide a framework for supporting the sustainable production and development of Ireland's tillage and horticulture sectors, including opportunities to increase the production, added value and market development of plant-based foods. My Department will continue to work closely with industry and other stakeholders to support these opportunities and the sustainable growth of both sectors.