CAP must remain at heart of Europe as defence spending rises, minister Heydon says

Mr Heydon also strongly defended the role of food production, arguing that countries such as Ireland had a responsibility to contribute to feeding a growing global population

(Left to right) Phil Hogan, Former EU commissioner for Trade and for Agriculture and Rural Development, Gráinne Dwyer, chair of Nuffield Ireland, Ksenija Simovic, principal policy advisor at Copa-Cogeca, Brussels and David McWilliams, economist and author at the Nuffield International Triennial Agri-Summit. Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon has warned against allowing food security to become “sidelined” amid changing global priorities.

Speaking at the Nuffield International Triennial Agri-Summit on Friday, May 22, the minister said food security must be viewed as a critical component of European security alongside energy and defence.