Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which progress can be reported in the context of any World Trade Organisation discussions to the effect that Ireland and Europe’s food-producing sectors are given every encouragement to facilitate the effort towards economic recovery; if he is satisfied that sufficient emphasis is placed on the pivotal nature of the sector and its ability to make a major contribution to the economy of this country and Europe in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40387/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The WTO Doha Development Round talks are stalled at present and the prospects for conclusion of an agreement are uncertain at this point in time. Nevertheless, I will continue to maintain pressure to secure an acceptable outcome from these negotiations that does not undermine the development of European and Irish agriculture and food production sectors.

At European level, the future shape of the Common Agricultural Policy will be a key driver for the continued viability and competitiveness of the food industry in Ireland and throughout the EU. In this respect I am pleased that the EU Commission’s proposals for reform of the CAP are predicated on the principles of ensuring viable food production, sustainable management of natural resources and climate action as well as balanced territorial development. There is good support among my colleagues in the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers for these objectives and I would be confident that, notwithstanding differences about the details, future EU agricultural policy will recognise and reward the important contribution of the agri-food sector to economic recovery and growth and to sustainable development.