The Taoiseach Brian Cowen said exports led growth was at the centre of that drive and fishing, along with agriculture and forestry, were central to the plan.

The Irish leader laid out his vision at the  at the launch of a new report, designed to place the agri-food, fishing and forestry sector at the centre of the export-led economic recovery. Food Harvest 2020, a medium term strategy for the development of the agri-food, forestry and fisheries industry, proposes ambitious growth targets for the sector over the next ten years.

He declared: “Our future economic growth will be driven by exports of goods and services which also stimulate activity and employment throughout the rest of the economy.”  The aim is for fishing and agriculture together to create an extra 4,000 jobs. Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith said: “The Committee has shown that Ireland can grow its exports of fish, other  food and beverages by over 40 per cent to €12 billion annually. We can increase the value of primary production by our farmers and fishermen by €1.5 billion and value added in processing by €3 billion".

The  report says in a decade which has started in extremely difficult economic circumstances, the sector can grow and prosper sustainably through the delivery of high quality, safe and naturally based produce.

However, Ireland's fishing industry, which has its undoubted success stories, also has its problems. Apart from disquiet over the  Common Fisheries Policy and the current quota allocation, economists says too many fishing vessels - often registered as individual businesses - are operating on a hand-to-mouth basis.

The report maintains that Ireland needs to address a number of structural challenges to meet the competitive challenge of the international marketplace and must focus on consumers who demand the highest quality in production and environmental standards.

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