Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When I saw the synopsis of the opening statements lasted 50 minutes, I decided on one question. The Chair can decide who answers it in the context of the track this meeting has taken.

I listen to the different groups that represent different sectors, albeit with crossover, and I hear one group welcoming an aspect that another group does not welcome. It goes to show how diverse the agriculture sector is. However, the one thing all sectors have in common is that we are primary food producers. As everyone has stated, we all know where CAP came from. It was to provide food security and traceable good quality food cheaply to the end user. The buzz phrase we hear mentioned in all debates in a passive manner is food security. My question is based on the fact we all acknowledge the schemes are becoming more environmentally based and the push towards organic farming and increased forestry. In essence that will reduce production hand in hand with massive population growth. How far away is the day that the witnesses will be back before the committee and the topic for discussion will be food security alone? How do we get the mix right through the next CAP and future CAP schemes, if there is another one after this one, to be able to pay farmers, look after the environment and ensure, what is most important to farmers as primary producers, that we are able to produce food and will have food security? How do we avoid it becoming the next big issue we discuss at committees like this?