Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans to adopt a robust stance at EU level in the context of World Trade Organisation negotiations with particular reference to enable the agri-food sector play a major role in economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45591/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The agriculture and food production sector is Ireland's largest indigenous manufacturing industry and it has a vital part to play in our economic recovery, particularly in the context of our exports. The role of agriculture in Europe's economic recovery has also been recognised in the contribution it makes to all three priorities of the EU 2020 strategy of smart, green and inclusive growth. Its importance has been acknowledged in the conclusions by the Heads of State and Government at the spring European Council and in the recently released EU budget review document by the Commission.

The future CAP will determine the policy framework for the successful delivery of our Food Harvest 2020 strategy and it will be of vital importance to ensure that it underpins that strategy. My priority and that of this Government is to ensure that the proposed reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy results in a strong and properly resourced policy in the years ahead which will continue to nurture the strong economic growth in our agriculture and food production sector.

I am also determined to ensure that any WTO agreement reached is balanced in all its dimensions and does not place a disproportionate burden on EU or Irish agriculture. While the WTO talks are continuing are present, there have been no significant breakthroughs in 2010. Prospects for a breakthrough or an agreement being reached in 2011 continue to remain uncertain.