Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the officials for coming before the committee and addressing our concerns and comments about the previous visit we had from organic farmers. I listened carefully to what they said and understand that under EU law the Government is allowed to tender for certain things, but I fail to see why five bodies certify the organic sector.

I examined what Austria is doing. Let us remember it is 2015 and we talk about climate change every day. Agriculture is the one area that adds to the problems of climate change. Organic farming saves 60% of the CO2 that is produced by conventional farming. I want to open a conversation in this country about what Austria is doing that we are not. Some 14% to 16% of Austria's farmers are organic and it has become a centre for all things organic, even tourism.

I listened to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, who is so articulate. We are the green island and there are bodies such as Origin Green and Bord Bia, but a very small minority of farms are organic. The group which came before us at a previous meeting is not powerful. I am not coming up with any light bulb ideas. The officials have given us great answers, but I still feel rather lost in terms of the organic movement and I do not feel we will sit here in ten years' time and say we have passed out Austria. It would be good if we could do so.

Small-scale farmers are important. We do not ever want to become a country of giant farms. A satellite view of Ireland shows that we are suited to small farmers, and this is exactly what suits small-scale farmers.

I again thank the officials for the very relevant answers they gave us today, but I am still anxious and slightly concerned for the future. I hope they will join me in thinking that we must brainstorm on how we can assist farmers. I heard what they said about payments and all of that, but we are not the same as all other EU countries. How can we assist farmers and the thinking and vision of our young people in planning to go into the sector in the future?