Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the way in which agriculture and the consumer here can be protected from the risks associated with a more liberalised world trade in agricultural products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5930/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I believe that the interests of agriculture and consumers are best protected by the Common Agricultural Policy, as it has evolved following recent reforms, which is consumer-focused and guarantees food supply to the highest standards of food safety, animal welfare and environmental sustainability. A cornerstone of this reformed Common Agricultural Policy is the recently introduced single farm payment scheme, which secures direct payments to farmers until 2013 and by means of cross-compliance, delivers environmental protection, animal health and welfare and food safety.

The current situation is threatened by the ongoing negotiations on a new WTO agreement which are aimed at liberalising trade and in reducing substantially the levels of protection and support for agriculture. My objective in the negotiations is to ensure that any new agreement will not necessitate further reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

At national level, the agri-vision report, which was commissioned by my predecessor, identified the rapidly changing nature of Irish agriculture and the issues facing the agriculture and food industries, including the need for market-driven production and greater levels of productivity. The report set out a framework for the future and the actions and changes that are required. The report placed great emphasis on meeting consumer requirements and the role of competitiveness in the context of an increasingly global market. I will be producing a plan of action in the near future that will set out a clear programme of work for my Department and other interests in the agri-food sector to enhance competitiveness and to fulfil the productive potential to meet consumer demands into the future.