Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and it is good to have this discussion. We have held a number of meetings and we all agree it is important to do so prior to the budget.

I agree that agriculture has helped us in our difficulties in recent years, particularly last year which was a very good year, but this year will not be as good because of the bad weather. Any gains made last year in agriculture will be lost this year as farmers will have to spend money because of the bad weather. I agree with the points that have been made and we will make every effort to ensure as few cuts as possible. However, we are told there must be cuts to the agriculture budget and there we have a difficulty.

The suckler cow scheme is very important and has built up much data for farmers over the years. It would be a pity if anything happened to it at this stage. Perhaps, as Senator Ó Domhnaill suggested, if a cap of 25 or 30 animals was introduced it would at least keep the scheme in place until we are in a better position in years to come. Perhaps under the new CAP budget and Pillar 2 more money will be put into it in a year or two. It has done a good job and is very important. Farmers have been very much involved, in particular with Teagasc, and have come together in groups. This helps farmers gain more information and we produce better quality cattle as a result.

We are very concerned about the disadvantaged areas scheme, which must be maintained. It was one of the first schemes introduced for farmers in the 1970s. The 12 western counties were the first to gain from the scheme and as the years went by it was extended into other parts of the country. It is very important to maintain it. An attempt was made last year to save money on the scheme but, as has been stated, much of this money will not be saved because of the derogation and the appeals process. Many farmers will be able to receive payments under the scheme. A small amount of farmers will lose out but most of them will receive a payment. The earmarked saving of €30 million in the scheme will not happen.

A factor which was not touched upon by the witnesses is the problem with stocking density on commonage. If the proposal were to go through it would have very serious consequences for farmers. I have received many calls in recent days about this and even now I hear my phone bleeping. Serious problems exist. Yesterday we were assured no letters would go out to farmers so this is good news and will give a little breathing space. REPS planners preparing AEOS plans for farmers will be given an extra two or three weeks to sort out this problem. Over the years there has been abuse on commonages and we must sort out this problem. If we do not do so Europe will come down on us, and we saw what happened with regard to septic tanks when we left matters drag on and did not deal with them. This problem has existed for ten or 12 years.

A number of commonages are still being overgrazed, while others are being undergrazed. This problem must be solved. Farmers must sit down around a table and a rural environment protection scheme, REPS, planner or departmental officials must become involved to help them to agree a stocking rate on commonages. This will be difficult, as a number of farmers on commonages might not be on good terms. If a blanket 10% cut was applied to all payments, it would have serious consequences. Therefore, we must be watchful.

I was involved in the negotiations on REPS 2, 3 and 4. Such environmental programmes are important. The agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, is in place and we would like to have a good environmental scheme in the Common Agricultural Policy. It may not be as good as the old REPS, but it should recognise and compensate farmers for their work in looking after the countryside for hundreds of years through planting trees, fencing, provding drainage, etc. As soon as a farmer receives money, he or she will invest in the farm and the money will be spent in local towns and villages.

It is good that our guests are present and I agree with them on the points they have made. We will do our best to maintain and safeguard all of the schemes and payments, but there is a note of caution, in that we have been told savings must be made somewhere. We will work with our guests on the matter.