Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to ensure a reasonable standard of income throughout the agricultural production sector with particular reference to the future needs in terms of food production here and throughout the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36606/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Agricultural production in Ireland and the EU and farm income must be viewed in the context of a reformed and evolving Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which has placed much more emphasis on market orientation and competitiveness. Following the decoupling of direct payments from production, farmers can now take advantage of the freedom to farm for the market, allowing them to focus on meeting the requirements of the consumer in a competitive manner.

In the context of discussions on the future of the CAP after 2013, I have repeatedly said that the EU must maintain a strong agricultural production base in the European Union to take account of the challenges ahead in meeting increased demands for food. 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 financial crunch 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