To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether his Department will conduct an assessment of Northern Ireland's food production becoming self-sufficient.

Northern Ireland is not self-sufficient in food production and this is not a policy objective. For example, due to climate reasons it is not possible for all vegetables, fruit, cereals and other food products used in Northern Ireland to be produced viably here.

Furthermore, it is not possible for Northern Ireland to produce all of its essential fertiliser, machinery and energy requirements. Within these constraints, my Department will be encouraging sustainable production, seeking to reduce energy dependency through the promotion of renewable sources where possible, rather than pursuing a policy of self-sufficiency. We produce more than we need for a range of meat and dairy products and rely on trade to sell these products and to meet our needs for those food products we do not or cannot produce profitably. I believe our farmers should continue to concentrate on what they do well and capitalise on the natural advantages that we have.