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Common Agricultural Policy.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004

Thursday, 20 May 2004

Questions (20)

Seán Ryan

Question:

19 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to a recent presentation by a person (details supplied) at the recent annual Burren Law School stating that by 2015 productive agriculture here will be confined to a narrow band stretching from north Munster to south west Leinster; the consequences for the future of agriculture of such a development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14743/04]

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Written answers

I am aware of the paper on the Irish landscape which was presented at a recent Burren Law School seminar. The paper dealt with the issue of changing landscapes and it was stated that such change must be embraced and indeed be accepted as the landscape is man-made and as such is ever changing.

It was agreed that much of what was described as "fretting and fussing about rural housing is a mere symptom, a very superficial symptom, of a much greater and far deeper change". The author then referred to the "collapse of agriculture". He went on to state: In Ireland the process has been gathering momentum for nearly 15 years now and the Fischler Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy will bring a rapid and dramatic conclusion to it. By 2020 productive agriculture in Ireland will be confined to a narrow band stretching from north Munster to south west Leinster. Outside of this area all agriculture will be part time, specialist and secondary. Very extensive areas will cease to be farmed, the more productive lowland soils will be used for forestry, the rest will naturally return to woodland cover.

The views expressed in this paper would in fact run contrary to virtually all current thinking and analysis of agricultural policy and in particular on the reform proposals under the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy. An in-depth analysis of the Luxembourg agreement as set out in a recent report by FAPRI-Ireland, an independent group of economists, has stated that the reform of EU agricultural policy and decoupling in particular would be good for Irish agriculture. The decoupling in the four major agricultural sectors would by 2010 lead to slightly lower production, reduced input costs, higher prices and increased farm incomes. At no time has there been any mention of large-scale reductions in production or of a scaling down of activity, with land being left fallow to return to nature or be in effect abandoned.

In recent times there was much discussion about the low levels of afforestation in Ireland and the need to increase the scale and scope of tree planting in Ireland, as the area under trees is considered low by European standards. To address this, a comprehensive, soundly-funded forestry programme has been put in place.

Changes will occur, driven by many factors including CAP reform, WTO and the general needs of society. I am determined to have the appropriate policies and programmes in place to ensure that change is managed and sustainable. I refer to the rural environment protection scheme, REPS, and the requirement for farmers to apply good agricultural and environmental practice to draw down the single farm payment. I do not accept that there will be abandonment of land. Irish farmers have proven themselves to be industrious, flexible and highly resourceful and I am certain that they will continue to do so.

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