Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was hoping it was not applicable to our State because I would disagree with it if it was. The Common Agricultural Policy has some deficits but it has been a hugely successful policy overall. It should be borne in mind that it was the first common policy of the European Union. The European Union was established after a period of rationing of food in Europe and the CAP was established to supply a secure supply of safe food for the citizens of Europe. In fairness, it has succeeded, although there is plenty of room for improvement. Furthermore, farming practices in the South are not intensive; they are extensive. In the debate regarding intensive farming, we must ensure that we do not reach a situation where we would do desperate damage to the environment by importing food from South America, where there are not sustainable farming practices, to replace reduced food production in Europe, where it is sustainable. We always need to bear that in mind. We could debate issues around that for several days but it is important that we maintain the good standards applicable at farm level and in the food sector throughout the country.