Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the representatives for coming in and making a presentation and for taking a day off because I would say they can afford to take a day off like the can afford to have a hole in the head. I also thank Deputy Thomas Pringle who invited the representatives to appear before the committee. Is it possible in a timely fashion to invite in the management of the organic certification board to make a presentation and share their figures?

I have a limited knowledge of organic certification in the food business because we have organic certification in Lily OBrien's, and it is a pain in the neck and it is also costly. That is all I will tell the representatives about that. There is need to have it. It is a great business to be in. One can charge a premium for one's product but I have always been quite resentful about the certification aspect because it is very difficult. However, I am not comparing myself to the representative body or its members. I have a few friends who are organic farmers and it is a tough way of life, but I am a great believer in marketing. Mr. Aidan Cotter from Bord Bia said that if one were to take a satellite picture of any country in the world, what other country looks green and is a little island on the edge of the Europe? Therefore, what country is better positioned to have a strong organic sector? However, from the figures the representatives shared with us and those that Senator Ó Domhnaill shared in response, we are using only 1.1% of the land in this respect while the average in use is 6%. I am not surprised about that when the representatives have told us about the mess the payments are in. Could we invite in a departmental representative from Johnstown Castle? It is not acceptable in this day and age to have electronic payments in the mess that has been described whereby a bigger newer entrant is getting their payment but another applicant might have to wait until February to be paid. If I were one of the representatives before us, I would just go to the pub. They have voluntarily set up this group to look after the interests of the organic farmers.

The organic certification body concerns me greatly. As Deputy Martin said, the payment in respect of 30 to 50 hectares will be €3,000 to €3,100. What genius worked that out? The payment in respect of 12 hectares is €2,200 and in respect of 50 hectares it is €3,100. I agree with the strong words the Deputy used in terms of the smaller producers being politically neglected and discriminated against. I am very pleased that the representatives are here. They are members of a small group and therefore are not sexy. We all want to talk about the dairy sector and the fact that the quota has been lifted. I believe in this group and they will do the environment of Ireland, the environmental cause, climate change and tourism a great deal of good. All of us here will do anything we can to assist the group.