Mr. Pat Smith:

In regard to Deputy Smith's questions, a lot has to play out in Europe, as well as the UK, over the next couple of years. The situation is volatile and I agree with the Deputy that it is worrying. None of us can predict exactly how these matters will turn out, but I agree with Mr. Bryan that something needs to happen in Europe. I am sure the Irish Government will be working hard to ensure the UK integrates further with the European Union. I recently read an article that suggested the sterling will eventually merge with the euro. I do not know about that but it is the medium term about which we should be concerned.

In regard to our position on GM foods, there is a misunderstanding. Farmers are definitely concerned about GM but is it technically possible to declare ourselves a non-GM country given the amount of feed produced in countries that permit GM crops? I would declare it in the morning if I thought we could get an extra red cent for the products we sell to retailers or on international markets. We can jump all the hurdles we like but we must be careful until we see a value and a benefit in it. In Europe, Austrian and Italian farmers are very opposed to the use of GM but ultimately science rather than politics has to prevail. European farmers are being deprived of technology that could be beneficial to the environment, reduce fossil fuel use and improve the way in which food is produced. Deputy Byrne referred to Africa. If we can use biotechnology to grow wheat on drought ridden soils, there would be great potential to reduce poverty around the world. This is a complex issue but it comes back to the question of whether GM and the science behind it are safe. The IFA holds to a neutral position at present but we are putting down a marker that farmers, whether in Ireland or in the rest of Europe, cannot be expected to be competitive with the rest of the world if our hands are tied behind our backs. What is good for the goose must be good for the gander.