Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which grain production has increased or deceased in each of the past six years; her plans for the future of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7342/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Production of cereals in Ireland has averaged about 2 million tonnes in recent years, with fluctuations in production being mainly attributable to weather conditions. The following are production figures over the past six years:

2002 — 1.964 million tonnes

2003 — 2.147 million tonnes

2004 — 2.501 million tonnes

2005 — 1.938 million tonnes

2006 — 2.083 million tonnes

2007 — 1.977 million tonnes (estimate)

Increased cereals prices, together with the warm dry weather last autumn, have encouraged a major increase in the sowing of winter cereals for the 2008 harvest in Ireland. Initial estimates suggest the total area sown to winter cereals is expected to increase by around 20% overall. Estimates of spring sowings will not be available until later in the year.

I consider the maintenance of an efficient and viable cereals sector in Ireland to be of the utmost importance. In addition to providing an income for growers, it provides the livestock sector with an important source of feedingstuffs. It is desirable to maintain the current level of production in order to avoid over-dependence on imported grain and I am satisfied that, subject to weather conditions, production in Ireland will continue at around the 2 million tonne average.

EU policy regarding the cereals market is determined within the framework of the CAP. Irish cereal farmers, following the decoupling of the direct payments from production, are now in a position to respond to market signals. With the cushion of the single payment, they can now focus on supplying markets, minimising production costs and maximising their incomes.

My Department continues to operate a range of services aimed at improving the efficiency, quality and viability of cereal production. These services include seed certification, seed testing, recommended lists of varieties etc. In addition, Teagasc provides comprehensive research, training and advisory services for cereal producers. The value of all these support services is reflected in the fact that Irish cereal producers have consistently achieved some of the highest yields in the world.