2758. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered the establishment of a strategic food reserve as part of Ireland's long-term food security planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62720/26]

Ireland is one of the most food secure countries in the world, ranking second of 113 countries assessed for food security in the Global Food Security Index. Furthermore, the most recent Teagasc Sustainability Report finds that Irish dairy, cattle, tillage and sheep farms produce protein sufficient to meet the requirements of over 36 million people (or 30 million people on a net basis).

Nonetheless, recent geopolitical crises have challenged established assumptions on food security. As I have clearly stated including at Agrifish Council meetings, food security is a pillar of global security and should be a priority for us all.

Ireland’s approach to delivering sustainable agriculture and food is set out in Food Vision 2030, our stakeholder-led strategy. My Department is currently undertaking a mid-term review of Food Vision 2030, and food security will be among the issues to be considered. While Ireland has a comparative advantage in grass-based livestock production - and this will remain at the core of our agri-food output - there are advantages in working towards a more diversified sector. Cognisant of areas where Ireland is very import dependent, earlier this year I launched with Minister Burke an initiative to financially support new flour mills. In addition, in recognition of the Government’s commitment to the development and growth of the horticulture sector, and supporting its resilience, long-term sustainability and competitiveness, over €15 million was paid to Irish horticulture growers in 2025 through a range of schemes. To facilitate the development of the sector- a stakeholder-led National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 has been agreed with all stakeholders and provides a road map for the sector.

The EU Single Market and Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) are the critical mechanisms for ensuring food security throughout the European Union and Ireland. While currently Ireland's focus is on diversification as set out above, the matter of food reserves is kept under review in the context of European Food Security Crisis preparedness and response Mechanism (EFSCM). The EU communication, ‘Safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems’ sets out actions in the three areas of food security, stability, and sustainability. The Agrifish Council continues to focus on these core areas and to support the work of the EFSCM, to ensure that we have adequate preparation for and responses to potential and real threats to global food security. Recent discussions have focused on the situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on food security, with particular focus on trade flows, energy and fertilisers.