Seanad debates
Wednesday, 2 July 2003
Common Agricultural Policy: Statements.
I found it significant, during the proceedings of the Forum on the Future of Europe, that a question I posed on this issue to one of the non-governmental organisations active in this area elicited an immediate defensive reaction from farming organisations, which insisted they were doing everything they could in this regard. This is incorrect. If 150,000 tonnes of butter is in store, it should be used. At the same time, we must also recognise that many countries would not accept certain products on various grounds, including religious and social reasons. Nevertheless, it is wrong to have food stores while people are starving. Somebody must pay for this.
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