I come from a farming background and I can look back to 1972 when we joined the EEC. My father, who is a good age now, can reflect on the significant changes that have taken place in agriculture as a result of our membership of the European Union. We have seen a great cultural change in rural Ireland. Some people would say we have lost much. We have gained economic prosperity but we have lost a large farming population. The number of people engaged in agriculture has dropped to a great extent. Many question the effect of the Common Agricultural Policy and one must look at the future of the CAP and of Irish agriculture. These are challenges which must be faced. In doing so I hope the agricultural population will be generous and will see the bigger picture.