IRELAND
type: Concept

IE/DAF
in scheme: providers
definition: The Department of Agriculture and Food?s aim is to promote the development of an efficient livestock and animal product sector and to efficiently and effectively implement EU and national support and development schemes in the sector and to promote the development of an efficient crops and plant product sector and to achieve the highest possible standards of plant health, while effectively implementing EU and national support schemes in the sector. The Department places huge emphasis on safety and quality. Over many years the Department has driven standards up and has contributed to the international recognition of Ireland as a centre of excellence for food production. The Department also aims to develop an internationally competitive agri-food sector and to support and facilitate trade in agriculture and food products and to promote the development of an efficient primary agriculture sector while ensuring the retention, in so far as is practicable, of the highest number of farm households. For the food industry, our aim it to promote the growth of a competitive, consumer-orientated and added value food processing sector. The Department is charged with promoting best practice in relation to animal health and welfare, preventing, wherever possible, animal disease outbreaks and welfare problems and, where such difficulties do arise, dealing with them in the most effective and efficient manner having regard to, all relevant national and international legal requirements and the interests of the animals themselves. Website: "http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/" [Summary provided by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Ireland.]
type: Concept