Vol. 486 No. 1
412 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the European model of agriculture as described in the conclusions from the Luxembourg Summit; and if he will distinguish the characteristics of this model of agriculture from other models of agriculture operational elsewhere in the world. [1265/98]
The objectives of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, as laid down in Article 39 of the Treaty of Rome, are to increase agricultural productivity, ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, stabilise markets, assure the availability of supplies and ensure reasonable prices for consumers. In the formulation of the CAP to meet these objectives, the different soil types, altitudes and climates involved has had to be taken into account, as well as the socio-economic need to support a large number of family farms and a high rural population. In addition, the Common Agricultural Policy has undergone a gradual process of adaptation in line with changing socio-economic realities so that it now accommodates new considerations such as consumer concerns about food quality and safety and society's growing awareness of the need to protect the rural environment and the welfare of animals. It is by virtue of its multiple objectives and roles and, in particular, of the importance attached to family farming, the environment, food quality and safety and animal welfare that European agriculture is different from that in many other competing countries.
The European model of agriculture, and the policy which sustains it, take account of the physical, climatological and socio-economic circumstances of Irish agriculture and have, in general, provided a suitable framework for the development of the sector. It is my intention to ensure that this model is respected in the current negotiations within the EC on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and defended by the EU in the next round of trade negotiations within the World Trade Organisation.
