Irish food/drink industry could create 30,000 new jobs31 July 201230,000 new jobs in the food and drink industry could be created if export targets set out in a new growth blueprint are achieved, according to the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC). IBEC has called for the Irish government to put the “right policies” in place to support the expansion of the sector and to ensure that growing firms have access to finance. “The food (and drink) sector spends €7.9bn, or 76pc of its total expenditure on Irish goods and services," said Paul Kelly, IBEC’s director. "This represents a significantly higher contribution to the domestic economy than in any other area of manufacturing. If we increase exports to €12 billion, the sector will potentially deliver in the region of 30,000 jobs across the whole economy due to the proportionate increase in spend by the sector,” he said. IBEC added that the sector had already recovered from the lows of 2007 with exports hitting €9 billion last year. However, Kelly warned that the 30,000 jobs target can only be achieved if public policy matches the needs of the industry. This would involve implementing a proposed grocery code protecting against unfair trade practices immediately after primary legislation is enacted later this year. The Confederation has also called for a new approach to nutrition and obesity education | |
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