Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Cotter for his presentation. It looked at the world market, potential markets and the growth involved for Irish dairy products. My question is related to the question asked by Deputy Ó Cuív. I do not come from a farming background but I listened to the discussions in this committee and in the Chamber and saw the newspaper reports throughout last year about how the ending of quotas this year was a great opportunity for Ireland and that farmers could step up production. Suddenly, however, there was a crisis two weeks before last Christmas because prices were collapsing. It appears that the farming model in Ireland might not be suited to the expansion that is required or to the potential for expansion that exists. How does Mr. Cotter see the type of farming in Ireland fitting into the expansion that is to be delivered over the next few years?

I am talking here mainly about family-run farms. It seems to me that what has not been said is that they will have to move to industrial-type production rather than the traditional model we have had here. What are the views of the representatives of Bord Bia in that regard?