Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015
351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he proposes to take, in conjunction with his European Union colleagues, to protect the concept of the viability of the family farm enterprise throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13358/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe drive to intensify agricultural production and improve competitiveness implies some degree of structural change in farming. However this need not imply a move away from family farming, which has always been the backbone of the European model of agriculture. On the contrary, in my view, structural change is vital to ensure that our family based farming systems continue into the future – with fewer farms, but farms that are stronger in terms of economic viability, production efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Our vision must be to undertake food production and distribution in a manner that is sustainable in all its dimensions – economically, socially and environmentally. This is directly linked with the production of important public goods such as an attractive landscape, clean air and water and a vibrant rural economy. And family farms are the bedrock for achieving these added benefits.
The challenge therefore is to ensure that our family farms are supported so that they are competitive and productive on the one hand and so that they can deliver these added environmental and social objectives on the other.
The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, agreed in 2013, provides this support and stability into the future. The Direct Payments system allows farmers to respond to the needs of the market while retaining some income stability. CAP Pillar 2 allows Member States to underpin the socio-economic development of our farms – improving competitiveness and sustainability and encouraging positive structural change. And the overarching flexibility incorporated into the reform allows these measures to be tailored to local needs, which is crucial in supporting the diversity of farming across the Union.
