Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)

I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, on their appointments. I welcome the Minister's statement, with which I concur. In the recent general election I campaigned on the platform that as a nation we must play to our strengths. Our indigenous industries of farming, fishing and tourism are critical to us in that regard. As Members are aware, there is an explosion in the world population. In 1999 there were approximately 6 billion people and this figure is projected to increase to 8 billion by 2025. We have also seen an increase in the global level of affluence, which is expected to increase the overall demand for food by approximately 70%. Furthermore, there has been an increase in urbanisation. It is expected that the number of people living in cities will increase from approximately 50% to 70%. Following the removal of the milk quota, this country's dairy production levels will increase. There is significant potential for an increase in the export of dairy products.

In the west, where I come from, the continued breeding and rearing of predominantly continental breeds of cattle is important in terms of high value beef exports.

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