Ibec reposted this
This morning FDI published our Budget 2025 Submission which calls for supports to improve both productivity and sustainability in Ireland’s most important indigenous manufacturing sector. High cost levels and cost inflation (labour, energy and commodities) are impacting on margins, competitiveness, and investment decisions. There is an increased need to build resilience against rising costs and wider competitiveness pressures whilst investing heavily in low carbon / resource efficient processes and accelerating digital transformation measures. There should be a focus on support for capital investment, innovation, and skills development to improve cost competitiveness in domestic and export markets. In the absence of any direct supports from Government, these challenges will threaten the financial viability of many low margin food businesses. The 2030 sectoral emissions reductions targets (Agriculture – 25%, Industry – 35%) will also require significant government support to assist the food sector in the transition to a low carbon economy in the decades ahead. Dairy, meat and drinks companies are already financially supporting the Signpost Farms initiative to ensure the most carbon efficient raw material supply but also need to invest in manufacturing processes. FDI’s Budget Submission makes several recommendations to help achieve these aims – read more in the full Submission which is attached.
