Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on global food shortages; the impact he foresees the impending food security crisis will have on Irish consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19597/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the initiatives he is undertaking to promote self sufficiency in food production in view of the growing food shortages worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19633/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which provision is being made to ensure adequacy of food supplies here and throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19890/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 139 and 379 together.

Increasing food prices and concerns regarding availability of food is a global situation, which is most severely affecting those people living in developing countries. This complex issue has many causes, including recurrent bad weather, and changing and increasing food requirements among countries caused in particular by economic and population growth. This underlines the role of Ireland as a major food-exporting nation. The 2003 reforms of the CAP, with the introduction of the full decoupling of direct payments under the Single Payment Scheme, allows farmers to respond to the demands of the market and effectively meet consumers' needs.

Although imports of certain commodities into the European Community may have increased, Ireland is a net exporter and is therefore not affected to the same extent as food deficit countries by global food shortages. Bord Bia produces annual estimates for the export performance of the Irish food and drink sector and has indicated that the agri-food sector increased its level of exports by 5% in 2007 to over €8.6 billion. There was marked growth in the exports of dairy products, food ingredients, prepared foods, beverages, horticulture and cereals.