President of the ASA Eoin Lowry said the association welcomes the publication of the blueprint for food exports but said considerable work must now take place. Lowry also said the report must be able to adapt to meet a global and changing market.

“The strategy is being framed against a background of global food price volatility, exchange rate fluctuations, world climate change policy, geo-political instability and a complex international trade regulatory environment,” Lowry said.

“Managing these challenges and achieving sustainable and profitable growth will require a relentless focus on people skills and on the structures for the development and transfer of world-leading technologies right across the food chain,” Lowry added.

The ASA will host its annual conference on Friday, 11 September in the Lyrath Hotel, Co Kilkenny.