‘Food production key to all land use’

THE primary role of agriculture is and always will be, food production, a conference on land use, organised by the RDS, was told in Dublin, yesterday.

Food Minister Brendan Smith, who officially opened the two-day event, said that without food, all other land uses pale into insignificance.

He said the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was introduced to ensure food security after World War II. But the European landscape has changed drastically in the past 60 years.

“Nowadays, our farmers produce more food per acre thanks to improvements in husbandry, animal and plant breeding, science and technology.

“As a result the CAP has had to adjust to different market forces. But I would caution you — this primary role is only a few natural disasters from being the major agenda.

“If you have no food, alternative land uses tend to take a back seat.

“Fortunately, the CAP has successfully adjusted to the demands of World Trade Policy to ensure food supplies are not an issue in the EU at present,” he said.

Mr Smith said bio-energy is a new opportunity for farmers and rural communities. Forestry is a viable option not just for the farmer but for the community.

Mr Smith praised RDS president Dr Austin Mescal, Agriculture Committee chairman Billy Nagle, from Buttevant, Co Cork, and Dr Pat McFeely, sub-committee, on organising the conference — From Muck to Millions — How Should We Use Our Land.