Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004
129 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the impact on farming income and performance in Ireland of the entry of the accession countries to the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4930/04]
View answerFrom Ireland's point of view, an enlarged EU will create opportunities and be of benefit to the agri food sector. The European Single Market will increase by 106 million consumers. As a major exporter of agricultural products, the potential benefits, in trade and investment, of a market of 481 million people are significant.
As in any open market there will be additional competition. However, the contraction of agricultural production over the last decade in certain of the new entrant states has in effect meant that they are net food importers and this will in all likelihood result in market opportunities for Irish companies. As the budgetary provisions for the Common Agriculture Policy are now in place until 2013, Irish and EU farmers are provided with a significant level of financial security.
