Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans for the development of agriculture in the future; if Ireland has been fairly treated in the course of the CAP reform, having particular regard to the prevailing situation in other long established EU States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40847/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which she has examined the future prospects for agriculture here in the aftermath of the CAP reform and in anticipation of the WTO; if all of the agreements entered into to date are being honoured in the spirit and the letter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40848/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that in the aftermath of CAP reform, adequate provisions exist to ensure self sufficiency in regard to the food section within the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40849/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if in the aftermath of CAP reform and in anticipation of WTO agreement, she is satisfied regarding the future of the food producing sector here and throughout the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40850/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that all arrangements and agreements entered into in the context of the CAP reform and in anticipation of the WTO agreement are being observed in the letter and spirit; her views on proposals to address outstanding issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40851/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied regarding the future of the dairy, beef and cereal sectors in view of CAP reform and forthcoming WTO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40856/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied regarding the future of the agricultural sector here with particular reference to competition in the export area from competing countries throughout the European Union and worldwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40860/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 to 224, inclusive, 229 and 232 together.

Earlier this year I published the Agrivision 2015 Action Plan which sets out my vision for an agri-food sector that is competitive, consumer-focussed, which contributes to a vibrant rural economy, society and environment and which also exploits opportunities in non-food areas. The Action Plan sets out 167 actions required of all participants in the agriculture and food sector which will allow it to flourish through all stages of production and enable rural communities to achieve their full potential. The Action Plan takes account of the challenges and opportunities presented by CAP reform and the on-going WTO negotiations. Many of the action points are already translated into policy initiatives either within the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 or as separate items such as investment in the beef, sheep and dairy processing sectors. I believe that, by adopting the approach I have set out and by achieving a balanced outcome to the current WTO negotiations, the agri-food sector can face the future with confidence.

Recent CAP reforms have made European agriculture more competitive, better prepared for globalisation, more compliant with food safety requirements, more environmentally sustainable and more conscious of animal welfare requirements. Having taken the decision in Ireland to decouple our direct payments, we have gone further than most Member States in developing a consumer and market led agri-food sector. In addition, the emergence of rural development as the second pillar of the CAP represents a recognition of the need to develop the wider rural economy and to support rural communities by improving competitiveness, maintaining agriculture in disadvantaged areas and promoting diversification.

Council decisions on the CAP and Rural Development policy represent a consensus among 25 Member States based on compromise between competing interests and budgetary constraints. I believe that Ireland has a successful record in securing the best possible outcome in the negotiations for the Irish agri-food sector. I am also satisfied, in overall terms, that allowing for the degree of subsidiarity which applies in many cases, the CAP and Rural Development policy are being implemented in a uniform manner.

One of the core principles of the CAP is to ensure the availability of supply. The CAP also ensures the highest standards of hygiene and traceability throughout the food chain through a range of food safety, consumer protection, veterinary and environmental legislation and other requirements. These policies are, and will continue to be, supported by substantial funding for the CAP and rural development. Funding for the period to 2013 was agreed in the decision on the EU's Financial Perspective, 2007-3013, at the European Council in December 2005. In the Irish context, I recently announced a draft Rural Development Programme which will provide €6.8b in support and investment for the agri-food sector. There will also be substantial support in the form of EU funding for market support and direct payments.

Negotiations are continuing in the WTO on a new international trading framework and while I am committed to an ambitious and balanced outcome to the WTO negotiations, my position remains that agriculture must not be sacrificed for the sake of an overall agreement. Having carried out CAP reform in preparation for the WTO negotiations, my overriding concern is to ensure that a new agreement will not necessitate further reform of the CAP. In that respect, I am mindful of the particular strategic importance to Ireland of the beef and dairy sectors. My objectives are to ensure that direct payments are not cut, that all forms of export subsidy are treated equally and that tariff cuts are minimised. I am also conscious that the high standards of production entailed in meeting consumers' demands within the European Model of Agriculture must not be undermined by the acceptance into the EU markets of product that is compromised in terms of quality, traceability or health standards simply because it is cheaper. I will seek to ensure that the higher costs incurred by EU producers are recognised in negotiations on non-trade concerns in the WTO.