Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Finnegan for his presentation. Organic farming is a very poor relation in the overall farming sector. It is neglected politically and discriminated against, not just by this but also by previous Governments.

Mr Finnegan has mentioned that while some organic farmers can no longer benefit under both schemes, the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, and the organic scheme, larger existing organic holdings can do so. To me, that is absolute and total discrimination. What reason for this was given to the delegates? Has it something to do with the size of holdings? If that is the case, it is a policy driven by a desire to get rid of the smaller and weaker person. Was this also the case under the previous Government?