I propose to take Question Nos. 14, 36 and 47 together.
The Agri Food 2010 Committee was established in June 1999. Its terms of reference are, "to propose a strategy for the development of Irish agriculture and food over the next decade, following the agreement on Agenda 2000, and in the light of the changes and challenges which are likely to evolve nationally and internationally over that period." The committee, which was independent in its operation and findings, consisted of leading figures from all areas of the agri-food sector.
The committee's report, which was presented to me on 24 March, describes the context in which the sector will have to operate over the next decade, identifies the key issues arising, sets out the committee's vision for the future, and proposes strategies necessary to achieve that vision.
I consider the Agri Food 2010 Committee report provides a valuable analysis of the future of the agri-food sector. I intend to initiate a round of consultations with all interests in the sector on the detailed findings of the committee. These discussions should take no longer than three months and when completed I will give a definitive response to the report.
One of the committee's findings is that the number of full-time farmers will decline because of the growth in part-time farming and the higher standards of living people now expect in our rapidly growing economy. The report states:
Current trends would bring the total number of farms to around 120,000 by 2010. Policy changes, competitive pressures and the increasing "pull factor" in our rapidly developing economy, are likely to accelerate this process, so that the actual number may be close to 100,000 by the time the effect of these changes is fully felt . . . While it is not possible to be precise about these trends, the Committee believes that these changes are likely to give rise to a situation where we will have around 20,000 full-time farmers, 60,000 part-time farmers, and a transitional group of about 20,000 by approximately 2010.
It is likely that the number of full-time farmers will continue to fall and the number of part-time farmers will increase as new and attractive job opportunities become available. The Government is fully committed to helping as many farmers and their families as possible to achieve viability and stay on the land, whether they do this through full or part-time farming. It will be vital to maintain and develop the maximum number of highly competitive full-time farmers, and the committee made a number of recommendations in this regard. Part-time farming offers an opportunity to a considerable number of our smaller farmers who would not otherwise be able to create an acceptable standard of living on the land.
The key issue is that the future of our rural communities should be underpinned by allowing them to share in the benefits of our national economic performance. This will be done by a combination of supporting full-time farming, facilitating part-time farming and ensuring the wide dispersal of jobs in industry and services in rural communities. By doing this we will ensure people from farm families will have the widest possible choice of attractive job opportunities in their local rural areas. We should then support them in whatever they decide is best for themselves.