Written answers

Tuesday, 2 October 2007

Department of Agriculture and Food

Food Exports

9:00 am

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which she expects Irish produce to compete on worldwide export markets in the aftermath of the WTO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21908/07]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Our exports of agri-food products have grown steadily in recent years to reach record levels of over €8bn in 2006. These exports are now increasingly concentrated in the high-value EU market. Our future success will to some extent be determined by the level of competition on our main markets and this will be affected by any new WTO deal. However, our ability to compete will also be affected by the actions we take to ensure that our agri-food sector is a highly competitive producer of the goods demanded by European and other consumers.

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. I believe the measures provided for in the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan in conjunction with the provisions of the 2003 CAP reforms will facilitate the continued growth of Irish Agri-Food exports and ensure that Irish agri-food exports are competitive on world markets.

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