Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 245: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the future for agriculture and the food producing sector in general in the context of the World Trade Organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9347/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government is committed to achieving a balanced outcome between the various elements of the WTO negotiations. Insofar as agriculture and the food-producing sector are concerned, the outcome of the negotiations will determine the levels of protection and support which the EU may provide for the duration of the next agreement. The negotiations represent, therefore, a serious challenge to the future of the Common Agriculture Policy.

My over-riding objective is to ensure that the terms of the final agreement can be accommodated without the need for further reform of the CAP and I am determined that any such agreement must be balanced and must not be concluded at the expense of EU and Irish agriculture.

The Agrivision 2015 Action Plan which I published in March 2006 sets out my vision for a competitive, consumer-focused and knowledge driven agri-food sector which will contribute to a vibrant rural economy, society and environment and which exploits opportunities in non-food areas. In addition to a broad vision statement, the Plan sets out one hundred and sixty six specific actions to be implemented for the development of the sector. It was drawn up in the light of recent CAP reforms and the likelihood of a more liberalised trade policy under a new WTO agreement but also against the background of other changes which will impact on the sector such as lifestyle changes, the emergence of technology and Research and Development as market drivers and structural changes in the farming and the retail sector.