Vol. 416 No. 7
113 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has a plan for the development of the food and agriculture industry; if this coincides with the Common Agricultural Policy reform proposals; if he expects present levels of employment in the industry, both direct and indirect, to continue, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In fulfilment of a Government commitment in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress I have established a review group, representative of my Department and of the farm organisations which will examine all national policies relating to the agriculture and food sector and which will draw up a development programme. This programme will have to take account of any conclusions emerging from Common Agricultural Policy reform and GATT negotiations, as to do otherwise would be unrealistic, but I cannot at this point predict what shape the development programme will take.
Employment in the food and agriculture sector, currently representing 18.7 per cent of total employment, has been undergoing an overall downward trend over recent years. While the numbers which declare themselves to be farmers in census and labour force surveys has consistently fallen, there has been a significant shift to part time farming and this trend is likely to continue. I will avail of every opportunity to create and sustain jobs in the food and agriculture sector.
