Agri-food sector has ‘bright future’
He was delivering the inaugural Michael Dillon Memorial Lecture, sponsored by Kerry Group and organised by the Guild of Agricultural Journalists.
It commemorates broadcaster and writer, Michael Dillon, who was the voice of Irish farming in a career that lasted 40 years until his death, aged 70, in 1992.
Mr MacSharry said farmers and the agri-food industry can re-orientate to the market to enhance returns.
The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) agreement, providing for the decoupling of direct payments to farmers, completes the transition from price support to income support.
“This is as radical a step as has occurred since the inception of the CAP which is now more relevant and acceptable to modern society,” he said.
Mr MacSharry said Ireland joined the European Community on the basis that it would have access to the markets of Europe.
“Cushioned by direct income supports we can get on with the job,” he said. Mr MacSharry said over 30 years up to 2002, Ireland's agriculture and rural communities have received almost 32 billion in price supports. They have also benefited from transfers of over 2.5 billion from the Structural Fund. Hugh Friel, managing director, Kerry Group, sponsors of the lecture and dinner, said Michael Dillon, in his work as a writer and broadcaster, became the definitive voice of farming and livestock production for farmers throughout Ireland.
