IFA leader John Bryan said suggestions that it might be incorporated into a new Department as part of the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle did not make sense.
Mr Bryan said it would be a very retrograde step and runs totally counter to efforts in the farming and food industry to integrate and focus agri-food policy towards meeting the challenges and exploiting the opportunities that exist for the industry.
John Bryan said the existing structure has served the farming and food industry well.
He said high-value markets across Europe for food exports have been hard won, and on the basis of primary producers, processors and agencies such as Bord Bia working together.
The expertise that has underpinned the progress of our farming and food sector should be built on to maximise exports and job creation opportunities going forward, Mr Bryan added.
