From the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

In accordance with EU Directive 2001/42/EC and the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programme) Regulations 2004 (SI 435 of 2004), the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine is carrying out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Draft Agri-Food Strategy 2025.

As an important part of the development of this strategy, the Department has procured an independent team of consultants, led by Phillip Farrelly and Co. to undertake an Environmental Analysis, incorporating a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and an Appropriate Assessment (AA).

In accordance with the provisions of S.I. No. 435/2004 - European Communities (Environmental Assessment of certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2014 the views of stakeholders are invited to provide observations on the scoping phase of this process. Further details on this process are available to view on the Department’s website at: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/2025strategy/noticeofconsultationforscopingofenvironmentalreportforagri-foodstrategy2025/

A written submission or observation in relation to the scope and level of detail to be included in the environmental report may be provided as soon as possible, but no later than Friday 8th May 2015. Submissions may be sent by email to [email protected] or by post to: Economics and Planning Division, Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, Agriculture House 6 Centre, Kildare Street Dublin 2.

You are welcome to forward this email to other interested parties.

Yours sincerely,

Noel Collins
2025 Strategy Secretariat