Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. Like the previous speaker, agriculture is by far the most important indigenous industry in the constituency I represent. The Minister, Deputy Deenihan, will know, given that he is a neighbour, that the land quality of County Limerick varies quite considerably from east to west as do the size and viability of land holdings and farms.

I wish the Minister and Ministers of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food well in their roles. I welcome this opportunity provided by Fianna Fáil to discuss the upcoming CAP reform proposed by the EU Commission. Every speaker will make the same point about the importance of agriculture to the local economy in his or her constituency. In my area, this importance cannot be underestimated with regard to milk, beef, suckler herds and poultry and there is massive dependence on agriculture. While the Government has inherited a considerable number of problems in many areas, the previous Government was not all bad when it came to agriculture and this needs to be put on the record. It did many positive things, although it also left many gaps, the most obvious one being the AEOS.

The national contribution of agriculture cannot be underestimated. It is worth €80 billion to the national Exchequer on an annual basis and supports more than 125,000 families. It must be placed at the top of the agenda with regard to the country's economic development. In my first contribution to the Dáil after having been elected I cited the importance of our indigenous industries, namely, agriculture and tourism. I am glad people working in the relevant Departments have a vision for both sectors. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, referred to the development of new and existing markets and one need only look to the Far East and the demands that will be made by burgeoning populations in south-east Asia, the Indian subcontinent and China for good quality food products. The one place to which all of the emerging economies will look is Ireland because we produce safe, traceable and green high-end food products which have high value. We know the industry and we can deliver effectively.

Deputy Kyne is correct to welcome the fact the EU Commission is finally allowing some discretion in the internal management by each member state of the schemes. As previous speakers stated, farmers are being strangled by bureaucracy. We must address the need to allow farmers to farm by decoupling - to rob a word - administration from production to a certain degree and allowing people to do what they are good at, which is to produce a high-end quality product.

Previous speakers mentioned national branding and it is not something one can underestimate. Brand Ireland is very strong and those in my constituency would like to see the development of this brand for the poultry industry, so that we do not have imports coming into the country, having value added and being labelled Irish. This is a discrepancy which needs to be addressed.

I am sure Members on all sides of the House have met young farmers seeking to expand their enterprises. These people have a get up and go mentality and do not want to stand still. Difficulties exist with acquiring additional milk quota. The schemes outlined by the Minister are well and good but additional flexibility and discretion are also required, perhaps at local level. If a younger person entering farming can show he or she has the capability to deliver a product and come in on target and on quota he or she should receive a fair hearing and attempts should be made to accommodate that person.

I wish the Minister well. I thank the Opposition for this opportunity to discuss the CAP. It is very important and we on this side of the House will do anything we can to be supportive.

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