The first thing the 2025 agri-food strategy committee needs to address is a working title or acronym. The reboot of Food Harvest 2020 (FH2020) is otherwise to be welcomed.

The appointment of John Moloney as chair has been widely welcomed. Sean Brady was widely praised for his performance in leading FH2020.

The committee is similar in size to its predecessor, and is drawn from largely the same well. The sitting presidents of the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA, ICOS and Macra are all included. Alan Jagoe is labelled as a “progressive farmer” on the group, presumably succeeding William Keane, the then young farmer of the year. There is one more farmer: Larry O’Reilly. The Kilkennyman is representing the tillage sector, which was initially overlooked the last time out.

In terms of the major processors, the lower-key presence of the beef sector is notable, especially considering recent events. John Horgan of Kepak retains his place on the team, plus he has since added a pigmeat business. Larry Murrin of Dawn Farm Foods also retains his place.

Last time out, Dan Browne was there in his capacity as chair of Bord Bia, a role now filled by Michael Carey. Rosderra CEO Jim Hanley represents pig processing, Vincent Carton the poultry side of things, Michael Hoey and Caroline Keeling the fruit and veg sector.

I note with interest that the 34-member group has no voice from the powerful retail sector. Everyone who was asked, accepted, so it was not down to availability.

Perhaps retailers should reflect on what this says about their status as stakeholders in the Irish food supply chain.

Teagasc chair Noel Cawley and Michael Dowling are the among the other survivors from the FH2020 group. Dowling has recently left AIB and is now there as incoming Kerry Group chair (among other things).

Minister Coveney paid specific tribute to Birdwatch Ireland’s Siobhan Egan as being a constructive member of the group at the launch. She is one of seven women on the committee, up from just two the last time. There can be no accusation of tokenism. The presence of Laura Burke, head of the EPA, Glanbia CEO Siobhan Talbot, UCD’s Dolores O’Riordan and Helen Brophy and Anna Malmhake of Irish Distillers adds significantly to the expertise of the committee.

There is one seat still to be filled; whoever succeeds Bertie O’Leary as ICOS president in January will join the agri-strategy 2025 team.