Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

I have no difficulty supporting the proposals contained in the motion. There is a clear need to address the issue of food quality and origin, and to promote the food production system in a manner that will benefit both producers and consumers.

I agree with Deputy Upton that the issue of genetically modified food is central to this, and it is something I have stressed since being elected. Deputy Upton referred to the Government not appearing to have taken a position on this issue. I wish I could be more confident that the Government's abstention on the ratification of GM animal feed was evidence of neutrality. However, I fear this is not the case. I welcomed the decision to abstain as a change from what up to then had been a series of votes in favour of GM. However, I am not confident that the Government will not support future proposals to open up the EU to GM. It would be absolute madness for this country with its agricultural base and reputation as the producer of high quality food to open itself up to GM animal feeds and crops. There is no economic argument in favour of it from the point of view of farmers, and certainly none as far as consumers are concerned. Perhaps the proposers of the motion will clarify the Fine Gael position on GM in their summing up.

Another major issue regarding food production is the share of the price paid by consumers that goes to primary producers. Only this week we saw farmers protesting against a proposed 10 cent per gallon cut by Glanbia. I cited statistics in the past which show that farmers get as little as a quarter, or in some cases as low as 20%, of the retail price for certain products. This is not acceptable and I have urged farmers to look long and hard again at the structures of the processing sector, which has moved a long way from the original idea of co-operation. Have farmers sacrificed long-term security of income for shares in what are to all intents and purposes agri-business corporations over which farmers no longer have control?

I note that the motion does not refer to the closure of the Carlow sugar factory. I hope this is not as a result of the differences that emerged last week between the prospective partners in the caring coalition on the closure. Sinn Féin is opposed to the closure of the plant and to any future moves which may threaten the future of the sugar industry in this State. The processing of sugar was for many years an example of a successful State enterprise and it will be a shame if the consequence of privatisation is the closing of the entire sector. Obviously the sugar sector in this country is subject to change at international level but its future cannot be sacrificed as part of whatever trade deals the EU agrees with the World Trade Organisation. Developing countries are entitled to access the EU markets but a strong stand needs to be taken to ensure that the workers employed at Mallow and Carlow and the farmers who supply the plants are not left to pay the costs.

I have on several occasions tabled questions and otherwise raised the issue of alternative use of sugar as a renewable energy crop for the production of biofuels. I am aware that the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, has stated that this is a commercial matter for Greencore and that the State has no role, but it has a role given that the taxation structure for alternative fuels will be crucial and that there is a grant of €45 per hectare for energy crops. The Minister replied to a question I tabled recently and noted that sugar beet is excluded, so that might be looked at if there is a possibility of using beet as a source of production for biofuels.

The other issue vital to the future of Irish agriculture is research and development. I mention this in the context of a series of closures of Teagasc facilities and statistics which show a marked decline in the level of investment in agricultural science at third level. According to the statistics, of 2,797 full-time researchers in 2002, a mere 44 worked in agricultural science.

There is a need to address in a positive way the outstanding difficulties in the sector and I ask the Minister to do so.

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