asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the recent ESRI report on the food industry, recommending the dismantling of the CAP, and multinational control of food processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Processing.
45.
I have seen the report referred to. In view of the importance of agriculture and agricultural exports in our economy I do not accept that the dismantlement or fundamental revision of the Common Agricultural Policy would be in the best interests of this country. Neither do I agree with the suggestion in the report that agricultural prices, and so farm incomes, should be reduced. Indeed such a policy would also be unacceptable to most other Community member states. As regards control of the food processing industries, the Mergers, Takeovers and Monopolies (Control) Act, which is administered by the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy, provides controls on mergers or acquisitions exceeding certain limits.