Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This has been an interesting discussion on the area of competitiveness and energy. I note from commentators in the United States that it is reluctant to set targets in respect of pollution, for example, while China does not participate. There is discussion on some mainstream media channels about this issue, the question being, why should we do something while large polluters such as China will not engage? While I suppose this is an ongoing debate, I believe the Chairman asked a question regarding the lead Department. While I imagine the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation are involved, if one takes an important area for Ireland, namely, agriculture, I presume the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and its Minister would be involved in any negotiations in this regard. While improving competition is one thing, there are quite specific differences between agriculture in the European Union and agriculture in the United States. This definitely is the case when one compares Irish agriculture with that practised in the United States. In general, agriculture in the United States is conducted on a larger scale and entails more factory farming, as well as the use of hormones and the use in dairying of bovine somatotropin, which increases yield and has some health effects on cows. Approximately 20% of farms there use this substance. In addition, there is the debate on genetically modified food and so on. Quite specific issues exist regarding the quality and standards the European Union imposes on its people, as compared with those which obtain in the United States and this is an important area for consideration. Obviously, the Minister is cognisant of this in the context of any trade negotiations between the European Union and the United States.