1. BIOGRAPHICAL:

Name: Joe Walsh, T.D.,
Current Address: 5 Emmet Square, Clonakilty, West Cork

2. HIGHER EDUCATION:

UCC: 1967 – 1970 - Diploma in Dairy Science

As Minister for Agriculture and Food, Joe Walsh was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate from Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, in 1999 for his strategic vision and commitment towards securing Ireland’s position in the growing European and global market for food and drink.

3. PROFESSIONAL/CAREER DETAILS:

A graduate in Dairy Science from UCC, Joe Walsh began his career as a researcher in the National Dairy Research Centre at Moorepark and sharpened his business skills as Managing Director of Strand Dairies in Clonakilty.

He was elected a member of Cork County Council in 1974. He was elected a T.D. for Cork South-West in 1977 and his passionate contributions to national debate, particularly on agriculture and food related issues, made him the natural choice for appointment as Ireland’s first Minister for Food in 1987. He immediately set about reorganising support mechanisms for the development of the Irish food industry which stimulated increased investment, thereby creating opportunities for new processing capacity and enhancing research and development capabilities.

Having demonstrated his outstanding leadership abilities while presiding over a period of unprecedented growth and development in the Irish food industry, he was appointed to the critical Government position of Minister for Agriculture and Food in 1992. He was Ireland’s key negotiator in fundamental reforms of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy in 1992 and again in the Agenda 2000 process. His shrewd negotiating skills achieved exceptional outcomes for Irish farmers. The outcomes of these negotiations were acknowledged by Irish farm and agri-business leaders as tailor-made for the Irish agriculture and food sector and the economy in general.

In June 2003, Minister Walsh was Ireland’s negotiator in the most radical reform of the Common Agricultural Policy since its inception. This has led to Minister Walsh making a decision on the” full decoupling” of direct farm payments from production. He is the first EU Minister to have made that momentous and courageous decision.

During his tenure at Agriculture House, Minister Walsh has been totally committed to the development of a world-class agri-food industry in Ireland. From a previously fragmented approach to food marketing, he succeeded in 1994 in establishing a single food agency, Bord Bia, dedicated to marketing Irish food and drink throughout the world under the “Ireland-the Food Island” banner. It is to his credit that Ireland is now regarded as a sophisticated international food exporter and has trebled its food and drink exports since this initiative began.

Minister Walsh also initiated and became Patron of the prestigious International Food Forum in Kinsale which has helped enormously to promote Ireland as a producer of the highest quality natural food and given international experts an opportunity to participate in a unique culinary experience.

Joe Walsh’s calibre as a leader was recognised publicly in Ireland in 2001 during the foot-and-mouth crisis when his resolute and effective action, his exemplary cross-border co-operation and his leadership in mobilising an unparalleled national effort, not only safeguarded Ireland’s €16 billion agri-food industry but ensured that Ireland rapidly regained its prized Disease Free Status.

4. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

In 1987, in his capacity as Ireland’s first Minister for Food, Joe Walsh was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of Food Science and Technology in recognition of his contribution to the advancement of food science and technology.

He was inducted into the prestigious West Cork “Hall of Fame” in 1992 for distinguished service to the State, an honour he shares with such previous recipients as John Hume and former Taoiseach, the late Jack Lynch.

For his skilful handling of the foot- and-mouth crisis of 2001, he received a Citation from the Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland (North and South) commending him and his Department.

In September 2002, he received the highest honour that the French Government can bestow on an individual for public service – an Officer of The Legion of Honour (Legion d’Honneur). He received the award for his outstanding role in furthering good relations between France and Ireland.

In February 2003, King Juan Carlos of Spain honoured Minister Walsh with the insignia of the Grand Cross of the Agricultural Order of Merit for distinguished service to agriculture. The Grand Cross, created by Royal Decree in 1905, is the highest level of the Agriculture Order of Merit that can be granted by Spain.

5. RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS OF JOE WALSH MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD:

Negotiation of Agenda 2000 agreement which has resulted in increased direct payments to farmers of 1.6 billion euro annually.

Protection of consumer health by skilled management of the BSE crisis as well as putting in place, at short notice, special purchases schemes and storage arrangements.

Effective implementation of a range of support measures for the Irish beef industry. This included persistent hands-on efforts to ensure that market access for Irish beef was maintained to our most important EU and international markets. The results of this consumer oriented strategy has been spectacular. There is now not one kilo of Irish beef in intervention storage.

Calm and effective handling of the Foot and Mouth disease crisis which had the potential to cause major damage to the whole economy. Indecon Economic Impact Report estimated that wide-spread outbreaks could have cost the country €6 billion.

Successful negotiation of the complex CAP Mid Term Review resulting in direct saving for Irish farmers of over €400 million and the preservation into the next decade of the financial gains of Agenda 2000.

The adoption of a coherent and long-term strategy for the development of a sustainable and competitive agriculture and food sector (Agri-Food 2010 Plan). Commissioning an update – Vision 2015, due to be unveiled in the next few weeks.

Modernising Department’s IT systems and streamlining Payments System making it one of the most efficient in the EU thereby ensuring that farmers receive their payments at the earliest possible time.

Establishment of an Independent Appeals Office.

Providing consumers with a formal input to the Department of Agriculture and Food through the establishment of the Consumer Liaison Panel.

According priority to food labelling and taking action to centralise control with the FSAI and pursuing gaps in the existing EU regulations with the EU Commission.

From January 1st 2004 Ministerial responsibility for the development of the Forestry Industry was transferred to the Department of Agriculture. Immediately embarked on an aggressive planting and development programme.

Resounding success at WTO Ministerial negotiations in Geneva in averting an immediate threat to Direct Payments, Domestic Market and the levelling of the playing field for Exports Supports.