asked the Minister for Agriculture if any major changes or initiatives are planned in relation to national agricultural policy, following the recent agricultural forum held last month in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Policy.
1.
The seminar on agricultural policy held last month gave rise to a wide-ranging discussion on all aspects of current agricultural policy. The conclusions of the seminar are being studied and where appropriate they will be taken into account in formulating policy domestically and at EC level. The seminar was private so that all participants could set out their views freely and openly, and it would be inappropriate for me to give any detail now in regard to it.
Proinsias De Rossa
I am sure the Minister will agree that there is widespread acknowledgement from all sides that the Common Agricultural Policy is changing dramatically. Does the Minister expect that any of the views expressed at this forum or in other forums will enable this country to ensure that any changes in the Common Agricultural Policy will continue to benefit the country financially?
I was glad to see that Deputy De Rossa participated in the seminar. I hope he found it of some benefit. It was an extremely exhilarating and constructive forum for discussion. The trend in the community is that the Common Agricultural Policy is changing. Major changes were made this week and we have to adapt to those changes. The seminar was brought about to discuss the future in the light of the changes that are occurring. A number of very interesting points were made and taken on board. An Foras Talúntais are at present drawing up a report on the proceedings of the debate.
Some of the points raised, which are of particular interest to us in view of the changes in the Common Agricultural Policy, are: on-farm investment should be directed towards efficient beef suckler and sheep systems; more State support should go to marketing rather than fixed assets — that was one of the trends that came through very strongly during the conference — Ireland's aim should be to maximise sales within the Community as against sales to intervention or exports to third countries. This week we saw how vulnerable we are by selling into intervention. We must try to sell directly in the marketplace. When changes take place in the CAP special account should be taken of the importance of agriculture in regions such as Ireland. The fact was very much taken note of during this week's talks in Brussels. We should support changes in the CAP that have a real prospect of aligning production with real domestic demand and legitimate export possibilities. Without them the CAP cannot be maintained. Those are some of the highlights of the conference.
(Limerick West): They are all laudable hopefuls. When can we expect some outcome from the discussions? The Minister does not appreciate that the agricultural industry is now badly in need of leadership from the Government. Is the Minister aware that the majority of farmers look upon this effort as a death-bed conversion? Will the Minister comment on this? Is he further aware that the only hope of having confidence restored to agriculture is an immediate change of Government?
Hear, hear.
The best Deputy Noonan can do is repeat some of the ugly comments that have been made by a certain individual. It was a very interesting conference. Lack of leadership and lack of commitment is a lot of bunkum. There is a maxim, I am glad to say it is not true in this case, that you are only as good as the opposition makes you. It does not pertain in this case.
(Limerick West): The Minister blamed Fianna Fáil for long enough.
We all appreciate there are difficulties and we are striving very hard to counteract them.
Will the Minister accept that this conference was arranged very late in the day and those of a more cynical nature than myself might suggest that it was not the only PR exercise?
That is an argument.
I will not argue with them at all. Why was the General Council of County Committees of Agriculture, a very responsible body, not asked to participate?
It was important that the seminar be rather concise in its membership and the time devoted to it. It was kept to as many bodies as we felt should be there. It is like a wedding; no matter who you invite somebody will be offended because he was not invited.
Is the Minister trying to get rid of the county committees of agriculture?
Can I ask——
I will allow Deputy De Rossa to ask a question because he put down the question. I am then moving on to the next question.
I want to ask——
The Deputy will find other scopes to ask what he has in mind.
There is not much time left. Time is running out.
Proinsias De Rossa
Will the Minister accept that the future of agriculture and of farming in this country is a concern to more than just the farming community?
That is a changed attitude.
Proinsias De Rossa
For that reason will the Minister indicate whether he will take any steps to broaden the debate on the question of the future of agriculture and perhaps hold a similar kind of seminar to the private seminar which was held, one that could be held in public and that would be open to a wider cross-section, perhaps including Fianna Fáil?
The Deputy was at the seminar and so was I. I cannot think of any greater disparity in Irish politics. It is going from the extreme left to the extreme right.
No wonder Irish agriculture is in such a state.
Fianna Fáil were represented. They had observers there and we appreciate that. Every political party was represented. In regard to the contribution to the food industry——
Proinsias De Rossa
I did not suggest they were not there.
Deputy De Rossa was invited to contribute. He may not have done so but he contributed by his presence.
May I ask a very short question?
I am sorry, Deputy Treacy, you have a question down, the one after the next question. I want to get on with the next question.
That is totally different. You ruled out my question yesterday and I want to ask it today.
Will the Minister answer Question No. 2?