Birnie Consultancy involved in The Independent Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Agri-Food Sector

From left: Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots, Sir Peter Kendall, Julie Robinson, Economy Minister Diane Dodds, Dr Jonathan Birnie and Nick Whelan.

The Agri-Food Sector remains one of the biggest and most important industries in the province, accounting for around £5 billion on annual revenue and employment of 100,000 people.

After a torrid year for the sector with the uncertainty and import issues surrounding Brexit, and the erratic demand and supply throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, the Northern Ireland Executive has announced a wide-ranging, Independent Strategic Review of the sector.

Led by former NFU President Sir Peter Kendall who will be joined by Dr. Jonathan Birnie (Managing Director, Birnie Consultancy), Julie Robinson (Former chief legal advisor of the NFU in England & Wales), and Dr. Clive Black (Head of Research at Shore Capital Markets and Chair of the Institute of Global Food Security’s Industry Advisory Board) the review has been tasked with delivering recommendations for improving productivity, while at the same time enhancing economic and environmental sustainability.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds, who jointly launched the review with Mr Poots, said it will be wide ranging.

“The Independent Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Agri-Food Sector will consider the future development of the entire NI agri-food sector, including both farm producers and food processors,” she said. “The Review will consider the strategic challenges and opportunities that the sector now faces from Covid-19, consumers trends and new trading arrangements, as well as the development of an independent UK Trade policy.”

About the review, Dr. Birnie said he was looking forward to getting to work and helping drive the sector forward

“Having worked with Sir Peter Kendall before, it is a real privilege to be able to do so again, especially on such an important, wide ranging project. I have no doubt that with input from across the Agri-Food sector we will be able to produce a shared, evidence-based vision that is ambitious but obtainable, allowing Northern Ireland to set itself apart.”