Mr. Janez Poto?nik:

I will begin with the final question. I was previously responsible for science. I agree that some scientists hold that view on climate change. However, the prevailing scientific opinion is that there is climate change and that we are in an era of climate change which is caused by human beings. It was never previously caused by human activity but now there is proof that it is caused by human activity. It is in the nature of science to have differing opinions. However, the intergovernmental panel on climate change, IPCC, which is an international scientific body made up of hundreds of scientists, has delivered an opinion on climate change.

Ireland is known as a food-producing country and I am confident it will always be a major food producer. There is a serious problem with food wastage and this is a global problem. Europe throws away approximately 50% of food produced. This is a waste of farmers' energies and also a waste of the water and land used in its production. This is economically bad and it is immoral. There is starvation in many parts of the world and we are throwing good food away.

On the question of whether I would give an assurance to farmers, I have one condition, which is that they assure me they will be prepared to care for water and soil resources and for biodiversity. This care would be in their own interests but in many cases, unfortunately, as a result of short-term and longer-term logic, this is not the case in practice. The same holds true for the fishing, transport and energy sectors. We all need to care for each other. For instance, I am looking out for the jobs of farmers and in my view, farmers should take responsibility for the protection of nature. I look out for the jobs of those working in the transport sector because I know how valid are these jobs. They are important because they are a means by which society can be sustained. On the other hand, it is important to understand that the world in which we live has a population of 7 billion, which presents different problems compared to 40 or 60 years ago. In my view, the way forward is that we must begin to listen to each other's point of view. This is what is called integration of policies. This is the reason for the "greening" part of the Common Agricultural Policy. I firmly believe that the same farmer who in the past was only paid for production should now be paid for doing a job from which we all profit. If farmers do not do that job, then we will have to find others and pay them to protect water resources and biodiversity. This does not make sense. It makes sense to pay farmers not to pollute. Farmers are in receipt of public money - taxpayers' money - because they do a valuable job which is in the interest of the public good. We should acknowledge that role. However, their core production will always be food production and this is their first responsibility. Thinking about each other, working together and avoiding short-term thinking is the way ahead.