Mr. John Enright:

The big issue on CAP is that there is going to be a gap post-Brexit because of the loss of UK funding. Our position is that the other member states will have to increase their contributions to keep us standing still. As Mr. Comer said, there are certain elements of the current policy that we believe need to be reformed, particularly in the area of income volatility. It is a huge issue for farmers which needs to be reformed. On rural and regional development and the national planning framework, we believe there has to be a counterbalance to Dublin.

This country is getting very skewed to one side and capital investment in rural areas and outside Dublin is essential in the future to address those issues.

The Deputy asked what can be done on Brexit. We believe there must be measures in the budget next week relating to Brexit. Brexit is effectively 18 months away. Our sector, in particular, is very exposed. Over the next 12 months the sterling exchange rate will go up and down and create challenges for all agricultural sectors, but what scenario will be in place post-Brexit? We believe next week's budget must include measures on Brexit. Waiting until budget 2018 will be too late. There must be something in that regard next week.

Our president mentioned the Border issue. There are 32,000 milk lorry journeys across the Border annually. How will that continue in the case of a hard or soft border? Issues such as that will have to be addressed.

To respond to Senator Higgins, we understand the need for the habitats and birds directive. The question we are posing on that relates to the policy inconsistencies in Europe. Europe wants to have a directive but our question is whether farmers have been treated fairly in all cases. We believe they have not. There are major gaps and major genuine frustrations for farmers. Ultimately, we believe it will lead to land abandonment unless the issues are addressed.

With regard to Mercusor, the key issue is that we continually hear people talking about standards and saying they will respect food safety and environmental standards. They also talk about equivalence. History has shown us that it does not happen. We see what has happened with Brazil this year. There might be a certain level of equivalence on food safety, but there is absolutely none on environmental or employment issues. That is our experience and I believe we will be found to be correct in the future unless those issues are addressed. That is the farmers' main objection. As a European farmer I must meet a huge amount of regulations on food safety, environment and traceability, yet at the same time I am expected to compete with farmers who have no such standards. It is just not possible. That is the major objection farmers have.