Mr. Harold Kingston:

More fertiliser is needed. Soils, partly as a result of the restrictions in the nitrates directive, are nutrient hungry, especially in terms of soil phosphorus, where we see a serious increase in the levels of index 1 and index 2 soils. Resource efficiency is about proper use of resources and not about stopping their use. If we do not improve soil fertility, we will limit the production capacity of our soils and will end up not using our nitrogen as efficiently as we should if phosphorous is restricted too much. Judging by the questions put by members, it is obvious that the Bill cannot be dealt with in isolation. All these issues come together. There was a question about whether we would require a derogation on nitrates but we have one, which relates to the stocking levels allowed. Originally, when the directive was being drafted, it was envisaged that approximately 10,000 farms would be in derogation. Currently, there are only 3,500 and, therefore, there is plenty of scope for expansion in this regard.

With regard to efficiencies in production, it is useful to have Teagasc officials present because they have described the science behind this. As Mr. Bergin said, science is the backbone of all this. There is also the practical issue of comparing what comes out of a cow's backend and what comes out of a car's backend. There is a major difference in terms of attributing it to climate change. We can improve in efficiency per cow and efficiency per beef animal. As a dairy farmer, I do not want people to feel that dairy farmers will push out beef farmers such as Mr. Bergin in the expansion. The increase that will happen in beef relates to efficient production and earlier production from animals. Where animals were living to three years, in some situations we are now seeing 16-month bulls and so on.