Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

The European Common Agricultural Policy allows farmers to produce a sustainable supply of high quality food. The agrifood sector is this country's most important indigenous manufacturing sector, which accounts for more than 7.5% of national employment.

The Common Agricultural Policy also provides for services including environmental protection, landscape management, food safety and animal health and welfare standards. Most importantly, the Common Agricultural Policy supports the continuation of the family farm of which there are 128,000 in the country. A total of 1,100 food and drinks firms are dotted around the country.

The Common Agricultural Policy is critical to ensuring sustainable and viable food production across the European Union, thus securing a supply of high quality food that is affordable. In the absence of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Irish consumer would be exposed to volatile markets and prices with lower standards of food production and environmental protection. Consumers and the people I represent expect security of food supply, guarantees on food traceability, food safety and environmental and animal welfare standards.

European consumers spend 13% of their household budget on food. The Common Agricultural Policy post-2013 allows farmers to respond to the food demands of the European consumer. It also supports viable farm families and, importantly, ensures that farmers are not forced to produce below the cost of production. It supports environmentally sustainable grass-based production.

The good news story of 2010 in terms of farm incomes seems set to continue in 2011. Dairy exports have increased by 40% between January and May and the sector has increased by 14% for the six months of 2011.

Harvard Business School issued a series of recommendations and the one I liked the most was its use of the term "Brand Ireland". This is an amazing brand for us given our wonderful artisan food, which was demonstrated to us by the IFA before the summer recess.

I commend the Minister on his forward planning and lobbying, especially on behalf of young people. We must encourage the next generation to get involved in the agrifood sector. I commend him on building relationships and alliances, and I welcome the Minister's statement that he will endeavour to retain Ireland's funding for both direct payments and rural development. I also commend him on wanting to keep the process simple and straightforward.

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