Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As a result of non-existent support for indigenous industry and a slavish enthusiasm for foreign direct investment, the agriculture sector is by far Ireland's largest home-grown industry and it is vital to us. To safeguard agriculture we must give greater support and protection to small farmers - not just large, intensive farmers - who may have to adapt to environmental pressures in the coming years. Farming will have to change due to environmental targets and we will regret it if we allow more small farmers to disappear through the cracks. Farmers need the support and protection of the Government to stay in business.

Fianna Fáil's motion makes reference to suckler cows and I support this aspect in particular as it is an area deserving of Government support. Suckler cow farmers are usually small farmers and it is not long since they received €8 a head for calves. The overall cap is now set at 50 calves - the farmer gets €20 a head for the first 30 calves and €10 a head for the remaining 20. This is some distance from the support the Government previously gave. The suckler cow scheme accounts for around one third of Irish beef calves and they provide the best quality beef in Ireland. Around two thirds of Irish beef calves come from the dairy herd but the quality is not as high, which is all the more reason the suckler cow scheme needs Government support.

The 2013 national farm survey published in May noted that the average family farm income in 2013 was almost unchanged from 2012 at €25,600. However, the average figure conceals dramatic differences between different types of farm. The average dairy farm income increased by 31% while non-dairy farms saw a decline in average income in 2013.

Irish farmers are being disenfranchised by processes that are occurring in secret - specifically, the EU-US transatlantic trade and investment partnership, TTIP, deal that is due to be signed in 2015. It has been very difficult to discuss TTIP in this House and the media has taken little interest but it is a serious threat to Irish farmers. TTIP will see huge quantities of US beef enter Europe, which will impact on Ireland's sale of beef to the rest of Europe. Regulation in this area in the US is very inferior to regulation in Ireland and Europe. In the US, growth promoting hormones may be used on cattle and we will not be able to produce beef as cheaply as the United States because we have tighter regulations. If the TTIP deal is signed, huge pressure will be applied in Ireland and throughout Europe to lower the standard of regulation to allow competition with the US. It is predicted that US food exports to the EU will increase by 120% by 2025 - this is double the projected increase in EU food exports to the US. Ireland will be on the receiving end of this because there is very little of value to Irish agriculture in the TTIP. Irish farmers should stand firm on this.

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