asked the Minister for Agriculture if he envisages any loss in markets due to the liberalisation of agricultural trade within EFTA; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to offset any possible loss by the development of alternative markets.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Trade Within EFTA.
71.
Progress in the liberalisation of agricultural trade between EFTA member countries has been comparatively slight and I do not envisage that it will have a significant effect on export markets for Irish agricultural produce. All commercial markets for agricultural produce are, of course, protected or controlled in one way or another and opportunities for selling on those markets depend on a wide variety of factors including fluctuations in domestic production due to weather and other conditions, changes in domestic support policies and variations in demand. The process of seeking improved access to existing markets and of developing new markets is a continuing one in which the Government and the various export agencies are actively engaged.