Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he is taking to address growing food shortages; if he will convene a meeting with food and farming representative bodies to chart a plan going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19697/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Increasing food prices and concerns regarding availability of food is a global situation, which is most severely affecting those people living in developing countries. This complex issue has many causes, including recurrent bad weather and changing and increasing food requirements among countries caused in particular by economic and population growth.

There is also an increasing global awareness that food security should not be taken for granted. Agriculture has a vital role to play, both in meeting food requirements and renewable energy, and in managing scarce water and soil resources. The critical role that agriculture plays highlights the continuing importance of the Common Agricultural Policy, which has all these concerns at its core. I spoke on this very point at the Agriculture Council meeting yesterday.

This underlines the role of Ireland as a major food exporting nation. The 2003 reforms of the CAP, with the introduction of the full decoupling of direct payments under the single payment scheme, allows farmers to respond to the demands of the market and effectively meet consumers' needs. The issue of security of food supply will play an important role in discussions about the future shape of the CAP both in the health check and in the proposed discussions about the CAP after 2013. Ireland will participate fully in those deliberations. At a global level we will also be participating in a high level FAO conference on the subject of global food security next month.

Although imports of certain commodities into the European Community may have increased, Ireland is a net exporter and is therefore not affected to the same extent as food deficit countries by global food shortages. Bord Bia produces annual estimates for the export performance of the Irish food and drink sector and has indicated that the agri-food sector increased its level of exports by 5% in 2007 to over €8.6 billion. There was marked growth in the exports of dairy products, food ingredients, prepared foods, beverages, horticulture and cereals.

It should be emphasised that there are in place a number of strategic plans operated by my Department which have the overall objective of developing and enhancing the capacity and competitiveness of the agriculture, food, forestry and fishing sectors.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

These include the Agri Vision 2015 Action Plan, the relevant commitments in Towards 2016, the national development plan and the rural development programme for the 2007-13 period, Steering a New Course, the seafood industry strategy, and the agriculture and marine research and development programmes in the national strategy for science, technology and innovation. These plans were compiled taking into account the views of the industry, farming organisations and other major stakeholders and are regularly monitored to ensure the relevant commitments are met on an ongoing basis.

My Department will continue to evaluate the changing international food markets and be aware of both the threats and opportunities that may arise.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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On behalf of my party I join in congratulating the Minister on his appointment and also the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen.

The reason for the question is the degree of uncertainty which is having a marked result in this country in that we are now paying more for food. Families are paying much more for staple items and that gives rise to the question. If the WTO deal goes through as it is constituted, that will have a further uncertainty for food production throughout the European Union into the future. Many people are asking whether the Government has a coherent policy. Irish farmers and food producers will be asking whether that €8.6 billion in exports will be compromised in any way if global trends continue as they are. We are trying to elicit whether, notwithstanding the CAP health check and the FAO agenda on a global basis, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has a coherent strategy on the way forward for Irish producers to attain some degree of self-sufficiency — and ensure we take a long-term view on food production in Ireland. That is the premise of the question.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Sherlock for his good wishes and look forward to working with him and our colleagues on all sides of the House.

We export 80% of the food we produce in Ireland. I was very glad that this particular issue was down for discussion yesterday at the Council of Ministers. It reinforces once again the particular issues raised by Deputy Sherlock as regards the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy. We all recall that the second article of the Treaty of Rome was to ensure a secure supply of safe food for the citizens of Europe — and the CAP has provided that stability. We are seeking additional milk quota from the health check, and we want simplification. In the recent past, set-aside has literally been set aside. There has been an increase in milk quota this year, and decoupling has been eased as well. These are important concerns. As regards the difficulties that emerged to date in the WTO negotiations, the reality is that this clearly demonstrates the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy. The health check is important now, and subsequently the CAP post-2013 will also be of extreme importance. Of course, the world food shortage has hit the least well off worst in this scenario. Ireland's overseas aid——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The House will hear a brief supplementary from Deputy Sherlock.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Does the Minister acknowledge that if the WTO deal goes through as it is constituted at present, this will have a further adverse effect for producers in developing countries — as well as for Irish producers? Ultimately, and this harks back to what the Fine Gael spokesman is saying as regards the current WTO deal, there are political considerations, both domestically and internationally. Irish farmers want to hear that there will be no dismantling of the long-term achievements of CAP into the future. It is clearly the case that the WTO deal, as it stands, will compromise those gains and indeed, diminish and destroy them. They want to hear a firm voice from the Government as to its intentions on the WTO deal.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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We have been very strong supporters of the Common Agricultural Policy. We want it strengthened and improved because we realise its value to Europe and for the Irish economy, farming and the agri-food industry. We shall continue to highlight the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy. Perhaps we should also reflect on the fact that Ireland's overseas development aid has increased dramatically in recent years. I believe we will contribute €914 million this year. Within the overseas development programme, it is very important that there is long-term development policy as regards agriculture — where the beneficiary countries are given the capacity, know-how and expertise to ensure they can grow basic foodstuffs for themselves. That is the long-term solution to many of the terrible problems that exist in developing countries.