Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This has been instructive, and maybe gives us the bones of a totally different approach to this environmental issue. Has the BFCP been able to get environmental groups, such as An Taisce, Friends of the Irish Environment and all the groups which often have complained to Europe in the past, to buy in to this approach and deal with the BFCP rather than with the Commission and having it come down with a ream of instructions which has been happening? My belief is that unless we get the environmental groups on the ground in agreement with what we are doing, they will keep running over to Brussels and it will be a blunt instrument that will hit us. What interaction does the BFCP have on an ongoing basis with environmental groups? Do they accept that this is the optimum system for preserving the Burren in the way we want?

The second question is specifically for Mr. Daveron.

How extensive are these winterage areas? Even though they are owned, I understand they are not fields in the conventional sense and some of the land is quite extensive. If it is extensive and cattle are not fed during winter they will graze it to the best of their ability and will keep moving to the greener grass. Does the fact of feeding mean they keep returning to the same patches again because they know it is where feed such as silage is placed? How is this issue dealt with? I term this the "cat at the back door" syndrome whereby after a while a cat learns it does not need to go hunting and only does so for fun because it knows where to go if it is hungry. How much has this been a factor in distorting grazing patterns in these extensive areas? Does feeding the animals make them concentrate in a smaller patch which is then overgrazed while other areas remain undergrazed?

Perhaps my next question is unfair but I will ask it anyway. What is the opinion of the witnesses from their interaction with Europe, the Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service on whether the European taxpayer will fund the Common Agricultural Policy if these areas are not fully preserved? How important to CAP is the preservation of the ecology? How much does the continuing flow of money hinge on good ecological practices in farming throughout the country, particularly with regard to the protection of highly sensitive and high value areas? How much does this figure in the equation? Dr. Moran has been making submissions so perhaps he has an idea on how important ecology and the preservation of high value areas are with regard to getting money through the CAP. It is a seamless programme and my impression is that this is as important as the production of food and that they are twin pillars rather than one being big and the other small. I am interested to hear the views of the witnesses on this.