Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 13 July 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs

Food Security in the European Union: European Commission for Agriculture and Rural Development

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Mr. Scannell. I want to acknowledge his extraordinary service to the European Commission over many years. It is often unheralded but I know at first hand the respect in which he is held right across the Commission. We are very lucky to have him there.

He mentioned that we have dealt with other challenges, most recently Covid and previously foot and mouth disease. Climate change is obviously the big challenge but we have time to deal with that, hopefully. In context of Ukraine, what is the likely impact on food security in Europe this winter and next spring but also countries that Ukraine sells into, particularly Africa? Is Mr. Scannell confident that the measures he outlined will be enough to alleviate it? As well as food security, I am looking at food inflation and particularly the impact that will have on families across Europe and the world. How effective will those measures just outlined be on food inflation?

Second, is Mr. Scannell in a position to give an assessment of the talks that are under way as we speak in Turkey on freeing up some of that port access? He mentioned the logistical challenges of trying to move crop exports on to road and rail. At what stage are those talks? Is the Commission involved or keeping a watching brief?