asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if the aim of the EEC agricultural policy is to secure for farmers an economic price for their produce; and if with this in view he will state what new marketing plans he has in his Department for new outlets for agricultural exports; and if progress has been made in the provision of such new markets.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Farm Policy.
38.
The objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy of the EEC as set out in the Treaty of Rome are, inter alia, to increase agricultural productivity, to ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural community through increased individual earnings and to stabilise markets. As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware, EEC membership would afford Irish agriculture an opportunity of competing on level terms in a large market at prices which are remunerative and also comparable to those paid to other producers within the Community.
Pending Ireland's entry into the EEC the Government have secured improved access and prices for Irish agricultural exports to our main market in Britain, through the Free Trade Area Agreement. Access to agricultural markets in other countries is subject to a wide variety of restrictions but every effort continues to be made by the Government to secure improved conditions of access to those markets.