Public Consultation on draft Bioeconomy Strategy 2026-2030

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) invite submissions on the draft National Bioeconomy Strategy 2026-2030.

The draft Strategy sets out Ireland's vision for developing a sustainable and competitive bioeconomy that supports climate action, strengthens regional and rural development, enhances resource efficiency, creates new economic opportunities and protects biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

Your views will help shape the final Strategy.

In this Strategy, the bioeconomy means the activities that use biological resources to deliver sustainable, nature-positive value through products, services, science and technology. It spans primary production (agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture) and management (outputs, waste), to transform biomass through processing, biomanufacturing and biotechnology for food and feed, health, energy, industry, materials, construction and ecosystem services. This aligns with the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and reflects its cross-sectoral nature of the bioeconomy as a driver of innovation, sustainability and bio-industrial transformation.

The National Bioeconomy Strategy 2026-2030 provides a strategic framework to support the continued development of Ireland's bioeconomy over the next five years.

Building on previous national policy and reflecting evolving European and international priorities, the Strategy aims to:

• accelerate the transition to a circular and sustainable bioeconomy;
• support innovation, research and commercialisation of bio-based solutions;
• promote the sustainable use of renewable biological resources;
• strengthen regional and rural economic development;
• contribute to Ireland's climate, biodiversity and environmental objectives;
• encourage collaboration across government, industry, academia and communities;
• increase public awareness and understanding of the opportunities presented by the bioeconomy.

The bioeconomy affects many aspects of Irish society and the economy. It offers opportunities to create sustainable jobs, reduce waste, develop new products and services, support farmers, foresters and coastal communities, improve resource efficiency and contribute to Ireland's climate ambitions.

We welcome submissions from everyone with an interest in the future of Ireland's bioeconomy, including:

• members of the public;
• farmers, foresters and fishers;
• businesses and industry representatives;
• researchers and academic institutions;
• local authorities;
• community and voluntary organisations;
• environmental non-governmental organisations;
• public bodies; and
• any other interested stakeholders.

The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Monday 17 August 2026.

Please make your submission by completing the online survey: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/NationalBioeconomyStrategyPublicConsultation

The draft bioeconomy strategy will soon be available in Irish. An Irish language public consultation will follow.

Once the consultation has closed, all submissions will be reviewed and considered by DCEE and DAFM in finalising the National Bioeconomy Strategy 2026-2030.

A consultation report summarising the feedback received will be published following the completion of the consultation process.

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner.

Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation.

We will consider all submissions and feedback before we publish the final versions of the Bioeconomy Strategy 2026-2030.

Your response to this consultation is subject to:

• the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI)
• the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE)
• the Data Protection Act 2018

We intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact (remove) personal data before publication.

In responding to this consultation, clearly indicate where your response contains any

information which you would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

This can include:

• personal information
• commercially sensitive information
• confidential information

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains:

• how and when we collect personal data
• why we do so
• how we treat this information
• your rights in relation to the collection of personal information
• how you can exercise those rights