Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

This is a timely opportunity to discuss the CAP. As Deputy Moynihan and others know, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Communications and Natural Resources prioritised three areas for its work programme between now and Christmas. The CAP negotiations is one of these areas.

For many years, the CAP was seen as a burden that had to be endured by many and an unnecessary sop to the European agricultural community. A communication from the EU Commission in November 2010 stated a strong future CAP would be based on two complimentary pillars with three strategic aims of preserving food production potential in the EU, sustainable management of natural resources and maintaining viable rural areas. At long last, the EU has recognised the importance of the CAP for these reasons. Ireland ticks all the boxes because we measure up to all of these requirements better than most. However, we cannot be complacent about this. The principles on which the CAP is to be further funded are ideally suited to Ireland. This is not to state that if we leave it at this we will get that to which we feel we are entitled.

We have heard much about the importance of the agri-food sector to Ireland. We have heard statistics on increased output, exports and production and they are all true. However, we need to be mindful that increased commodity prices, in particular for a primary producer, do not always mean increased profit. Serious pressures exist on farm profit margins. Many years ago, when agriculture was supposed to have been booming, a car sticker stated there was money in agriculture but not in farming. At one point, everybody made money except the farmer. This may be an exaggeration, but everybody was getting a piece of the action. Over a period of ten years, people at the ploughing championships could have been forgiven for thinking they were not in the country of the Celtic tiger. Those involved in the agri-food sector who will attend the championships next week might feel they are not in the country of doom and gloom.

The Fianna Fáil motion calls for the Government to publish its proposals but I do not think this is wise. In his address, the Minister outlined the areas highlighted by the so called "leaked" document. We knew about some of them but others are new. We knew a measure on greening would be included but we did not expect the suggestion that 30% should be reserved for greening measures and we should not support it. In so far as he could, the Minister outlined his position on the leaked document without putting forward proposals. Negotiations will have to take place to line up with other member states. An example is where capping will not affect us but may affect other states, in particular Germany and the United Kingdom, and we may need to work with them. I am interested in payments for areas of natural constraint which would be in addition to payments for less favoured areas. This shows the Commission is alert to its basic principles of promoting sustainable rural resources and protecting viable rural areas. This particular proposal recognises there is a need to allow people to continue to farm in Natura areas and to compensate them for that.

The agriculture committee in the Thirtieth Dáil, under the chairmanship of Johnny Brady, presented 12 key recommendations, unanimously agreed by all parties, to the Commissioner when he attended the committee last year. On determining national envelopes, the committee's report recommended: "Ireland should also seek, irrespective of whatever method is ultimately agreed for the determination of national envelopes, the maximum flexibility to distribute the Irish national envelope in a manner best suited to Irish circumstances." That sums up what we want to achieve in the Common Agricultural Policy negotiations.

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