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

Question 258: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the discussions he has had or proposes to have with his EU colleagues with the objective of adopting a short, medium and long-term plan for the agricultural sector, bearing in mind the need to provide for security of supply, reasonable income for the producer and the need for the EU to be self-sufficient in so far as possible in the agri-production sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36603/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

According to the European Commission's latest statistics, the EU's overall trade in agricultural produce is fairly close to balance with its total trade of almost €153 billion in 2007, split between imports of €77.4 billion and exports of €75.1 billion. Broadly speaking, the EU is a net importer of raw products such as tropical products, certain fruit and vegetables and oils/oilseeds while it is a net exporter of more processed products such as food preparations and beverages.

European food security and agricultural production issues are dealt with through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which is constantly evolving to meet the demands of increased globalisation, including our responsibilities under the WTO, and the need to remain competitive on EU and world commodity markets. The CAP has responded to change through a series of reforms in recent decades. In the initial discussions on the shape of the CAP after 2013, I and other Ministers, have emphasised the crucial importance of ensuring the security of supply of safe, high quality food for European consumers

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

Question 259: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has had discussions with his EU colleagues with a view to ensuring the future of the food production sector throughout the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36604/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There have been a number of discussions at EU Council level on the future of European food production in the context of the CAP after 2013. This issue has also been to the forefront of bilateral contacts with other Member States. My own view on the future of EU food production, which I have expressed at meetings of the Council and bilaterally to my Ministerial colleagues, is that we must maintain a strong agricultural production base in the European Union to take account of the challenges ahead in meeting increased demands for food. Any reduction in food production in the EU would be taken up elsewhere where less efficient production systems exist and would result, inter alia, in a heavier carbon footprint. The EU must also undertake food production and distribution in a manner that is sustainable in all its dimensions – economically, socially and environmentally.

There will be major challenges ahead from climate change, increased competition on world and EU markets, the international recession and other factors. We must ensure that we have the capacity to cope with the challenges and fully exploit the opportunities as they emerge. To do so our whole sector, from farm to fork, must be highly efficient and competitive. It must also be innovative, producing the products that changing consumer tastes demand, and it must be relentlessly focused on quality and safety. To achieve these objectives, there is a continuing need for an active and appropriately resourced European agricultural policy. That policy needs to recognise the role that a cohesive agriculture and rural development policy can play in addressing future energy needs, addressing environmental concerns and providing a secure and sustainable food supply in Europe.