CAP report author to be keynote speaker at ASA annual conference

THE keynote address at the Agricultural Science Association’s annual conference in Tullow, Co Carlow, on September 10 will be given by George Lyon.

Mr Lyon is the Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland and author of an influential report on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy.

Mr Lyon received the overwhelming backing of the European Parliament for his report, which calls for a more sustainable, fairer and greener CAP.

He maintains the reformed and renewed CAP must address the challenges of the new century, putting sustainability, fairness, green growth and innovation at its heart.

“We have resisted attempts by some to water-down the package of reform and the report has emerged with a strong mandate for long overdue change,” he said.

Mr Lyon said a huge increase in population, coupled with a substantial increase in demand for food from developing countries against the backdrop of less land, less water and less energy due to climate change is the key driver for reform.

“I firmly believe that a fairer, greener, more sustainable CAP is the right solution to these challenges. We must convince taxpayers and consumers that farmers are part of the solution, not part of the problem.

“It is vital that we have the resources to meet these new challenges and I will be fighting for a substantial CAP budget in order to do just that.”

Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos described the concepts outlined in the Lyon Report as very constructive.

“We will take these into account when we draft our communication on the future of the CAP which is due for publication in November,” he said.

Mr Lyon’s address to the ASA conference is certain to promote debate on some of the hard choices facing the CAP in the future and the likely implications for Ireland.

A panel of speakers will also debate the agri-food sector, the future for farm advisory services and prospects for the economy.

The speakers will include economist Colm McCarthy, Bord Snip Nua; Jim Bergin, chief executive, Glanbia Ingredients; IFA president John Bryan; and economic analyst Pat McArdle.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith will officially open the conference which will also feature a debate on the Food Harvest 2020 report.

Mícheál O Muircheartaigh will be the guest speaker at the pre-conference banquet in Mount Wolseley Hotel on September 9.

Dr Frank O’Meara is the current president of ASA, which is dedicated to enhancing the professional interests of all graduates in agriculture, food, forestry, horticulture and the environmental sciences.