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Introduction & Socio-economic Context
13
At EU level, the EU CAP provides
the main policy framework for
development of the primary
agriculture and agri-food industries
to 2020 and thereafter. All farmers
in receipt of direct payments
from the EU are now subject to
cross-compliance, which requires
applicants to maintain their land in
‘good agricultural and environmental
condition’ and to comply with
statutory management requirements
relating to the environment.
Industry
The industrial sector employs some
230,000 people and accounted for
almost 13% of those in employment
in 2011. The sector includes
manufacturing, construction and
utilities and saw declines in its GVA
of 3–4% per annum in both 2008
and 2009, with a return to growth
subsequently (see Table 1.4). Ireland’s
exports proved to be very resilient
during this turbulent time. Exports
of high-end-value goods led the way
in 2010, with the pharmaceutical
sector performing most strongly, but
the recovery was quite broad-based
and most of the traditional sectors
of the economy also posted a solid
return. Exports of food and drink
and plastic and metal goods also
gained momentum. In the services
sector, ICT and financial services both
recorded strong growth (DETI, 2010).
Industry sub-sectors vary considerably
both in their relative economic
performance and their potential impact
on the environment. Some noteworthy
sub-sectors are reviewed below.
Building and Construction
The effects of the recession and
the property market collapse
have been most acutely felt in
the construction sector, where
both GVA and employment have
more than halved since 2007. The
most noticeable environmental
impact is the dramatic reduction in
construction and demolition waste.
Cement manufacture was also down,
with consequent reductions in GHG
emissions from that sector.
Chemicals/Pharmaceuticals
The pharmaceutical and biopharma
industry accounted for over 50%
of total Irish exports in 2010 and
employed over 50,000 directly and
indirectly. Following a decline in GVA
in 2008 the sector has experienced
annual growth rates of about 30%
in the period 2009–2010. The sector
has the potential to place significant
pressures on the environment, due
to the nature of the materials used
and the wastes generated. For
that reason all such manufacturing
facilities are regulated under the
EPA’s Integrated Pollution Prevention
and Control licensing regime.
Tourism and Hospitality
The Fáilte Ireland visitor surveys
continue to confirm that Ireland is
prized by overseas visitors for its
clean, green image (Fáilte Ireland,
2010). In 2010, for example, 84%
of visitors said they were attracted
by the natural, unspoilt environment.