Food independence - Sustainability is the answer

WE ARE utterly dependent on imported energy and the crisis destroying Irish farming and commercial fishing may make us dependent on food imports as well.

This is insane. At a time when we should be doing all we can to ensure that we are self-sufficient in food, two of our primary producer sectors are facing ruin. Not only that, but the loss of down-the-line jobs will have a huge impact on the economy.

Already a splinter group of farmers have announced they will campaign against the ratification of the Lisbon treaty at October’s referendum.

Now they are joined by commercial fishermen who say they face ruin because of quota restrictions imposed through the Common Fisheries Policy.

The commercial fishing industry, especially at the factory-ship end of the business, has not enjoyed universal approval. It is often seen as ruinously wasteful and exploitative. Indeed, when the plight of several species, especially tuna, is considered it is hard to argue against this position. In a sobering indictment it is said that the last generation who will ever eat wild fish caught in the sea has already been born.

We cannot afford to have our farming and fishing industries in such jeopardy and we must do all we can, especially when we buy food, to rejuvenate them.

However, they must convince us that their practices are sustainable.