Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I too welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion, which is especially important to me coming from the rural constituency of Cork South-West. I thank the Fianna Fáil group for tabling the motion. I do not agree with its general tenet but it is clear that all parties in the Chamber recognise the important role played by the agricultural sector and its importance in the future recovery of the economy.

It is regrettable that in the past ten or 12 years when the Celtic tiger was roaring that agriculture seemed to be deemed less important. It was one of the forgotten relations, particularly by key decision makers, economists and movers and shakers in the country. It suffered because of that fact especially in comparison with the construction industry. Agriculture has been the bedrock of this country. It is what we are good at and what we should be trading internationally. I very much look forward to how this country negotiates the Common Agricultural Policy for the better development of the agriculture industry in the next two years. The industry has done much in the past 20 years to improve its position in worldwide agricultural terms through technology, transparency, animal husbandry and breeding programmes. They are long-established and slow-burn investments that are bearing fruit now.

The maintenance and husbandry of the land is especially important in disadvantaged areas. All of that must be taken into account in future negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy by the Minister and his officials. In a climate where the European Union is grappling with emerging nations and new entrants into the Union and subsidies are directed at disadvantaged areas it is important nationally that we support areas of disadvantage elsewhere. A parallel process should be taken at European Union and national level. That is not taken into account in the motion. We are being led to believe that the overall package of subsidies is not being changed much. A reduction of 30% in more affluent areas will have a knock-on benefit of 30% in disadvantaged areas. It is about redistribution of the subsidies and supports. I would not like to think that parties that set themselves up as being supportive of small farmers and disadvantaged areas would now turn their back on them because of something that was perhaps inadvertently put into a motion. I do not agree with that. I would prefer to see small farmers and disadvantaged land owners continuing to receive supports they deserve.

It is critically important that we target supports towards young, energetic, active farmers and food production. I wish the Minister and his officials well. They have built up a unique expertise in negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy. I look forward to signing off on the significant negotiations probably during this country's Presidency in 2013.

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