Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I could not disagree with what the Deputy is saying. The one thing we could say is that the family farm structure, which he mentioned, coming from the origins of the European Union and the Treaty of Rome, is more essential than ever, but probably for different reasons. It originally came about with the emphasis on affordable food and supply of food without the current issue facing us, which is how to pay for and where to get the inputs. The energy challenge before 2013 will definitely sharpen the focus on food security, not just in transportation terms. One third of the fertiliser inputs are fossil fuel reliant, an issue which will impinge on agricultural policy as well as transportation from far distant sources. I agree it will be before 2013 that alliances will need to be forged and the shape of the post-CAP will be defined. It will be based on energy, which will be the foremost issue.

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