Smith: Strong agricultural production base must be maintained in the EU

A STRONG agricultural production base must be maintained in the European Union, according to Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith.

He said food production and distribution must also be maintained in a manner that is sustainable in all its dimensions — economically, socially and environmentally.

“Neither of these will happen of their own accord and, therefore, there will be a continuing need for an active and appropriately resourced European agricultural policy to achieve these objectives and to help our farmers and processors adapt to the new and emerging challenges.”

Mr Smith, speaking as the debate in Europe on the shape of the Common Agricultural Policy got under way, explained that a range of ideas was put forward at this week’s Council of Ministers meeting in France. Many new member states stressed the need to rebalance EU spending in favour of poorer members, while a small number of countries sought to significantly reduce agriculture spending.

“Overall, however, I was heartened by the recognition by the great majority of ministers of the need for a strong CAP after 2013,” he said.

Pointing out that Ireland benefits substantially from CAP spending, Mr Smith said he had stressed the importance of support for innovation and necessary structural change and had also robustly defended the direct payments received by EU farmers.

“Fixed decoupled payments, not only free the farmer to produce what the market wants, but also provide a measure of income certainty which allows the farm family to plan how best to combine its on-farm and off-farm economic activity to ensure its long-term viability,” he said.

“We must maintain our common market and our common policy in the Union, but we must also allow sufficient flexibility to adapt that policy to the different needs in the various member states and regions,” he said.

Mr Smith cited rural development schemes, such as REPS, as an example of this approach.

Mr Smith said discussions on the CAP will continue in parallel with consideration of the EU budget framework for the period after 2013.

Urging farmers, processors, consumers and others to become involved in the debate, he said he was open to hearing ideas from all those with an interest in the development of the agri-food sector and in meeting the global challenges of food security and environmental sustainability.