Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has evaluated the likely negative impact on the agricultural sector and the economy generally arising from the new EU sugar regime, the nitrates directive and the WTO; her plans to counter the full impact of such measures on the food producing and exporting sector of the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38408/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department examines and assesses the impact of all policy proposals emerging at EU level and the wider international context for their impact on agriculture and the rural economy. The agri-vision 2015 report also identified the rapidly changing nature of Irish agriculture and the issues facing the agriculture and food industries in the future including the need for market driven production and greater levels of productivity. The report sets out a framework for the future for Irish agriculture and details what actions and changes are required in order to achieve desired targets. The report placed great emphasis on meeting consumer requirements and the role of competitiveness in the production process in the context of an increasingly global market.

I intend to produce and launch a plan of action in the new year that will set out a clear programme of work for my own Department, and for the other players in the sector, which will seek to enhance the competitiveness of the agriculture and food industries to fulfil their productive potential and position them to meet the challenges ahead.