Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which he has, at EU level, established the principle of self-sufficiency or food security within the EU; the degree to which this concept has been established and accepted throughout the Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4206/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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"Food Security" is a concept that traditionally refers to the lack of access to food in developing countries due to poverty. People in poverty in developing countries are unable to buy or grow sufficient food. People are food insecure when they do not have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Because of European social welfare systems, which provide financial support to those in need, this concept, which refers to developing countries, is not so relevant.

However, a central issue for Europe is the overall security of food supply for Europe and indeed globally. There is an increasing awareness that the security of the global food supply cannot be taken for granted in a world where demand is rising rapidly, and where this is expected to require a 70% increase in global food supply by 2050. There have been increased demands on the agriculture sector to examine the growing pressure between food, feed and fuel in terms of production.

Ireland was among the first Member States to draw attention to this concern in ongoing discussions on the WTO, the CAP Health Check and the more recent debates on agriculture and climate change. The declaration of 22 Member States in Paris last month illustrates the extent to which this concept has been accepted within the EU. That declaration includes the commitment that "we want a policy that assures the supply of food that is at the same time safe, healthy, balanced, of high quality and accessible to all. Europe must be able to respond to the needs of 500 million consumers and contribute to the world's food balance."

As an export and market orientated industry with high standards of food safety and quality, Ireland has an important role to play in contributing to the international security of food supply for the millions beyond this island. There is tremendous potential for Ireland to act as a major food producer and exporter, but only if we have positioned ourselves to competitively increase our levels and range of production.