Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I recently attended an information meeting in Donegal organised by the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, INHFA, at which a lady from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland presented research on the best way to farm sheep on hills and comply with European regulations. It was of great interest that very little research has been carried out on this area by Teagasc for some time. I discussed that with several people and I would like the opinions of the witnesses on the feedback I received in that regard. The view of those to whom I spoke was that, in spite of all the rhetoric, there is an increasing sense that the powers that be in the State wish to focus on intensive farming rather than support typical small family farms, in particular hill farmers and those working on difficult land. Approximately 75% of a typical farmer's income comes from single farm payments, which are critical to their survival. In other words, the view I received is that a lot of nonsense is being spoken in this regard. There is much rhetoric about climate change and so on but, in reality, the research and resources of the State and the way that CAP payments are disbursed is geared toward intensive farming and profit-making at the higher level, to the detriment of small farms. To back that up, recent research demonstrated that over the past 20 years 42% of family farms in the west of Ireland have ceased operation. Other evidence recently given to the committee indicated that, in spite of all the talk of getting young farmers involved, one in three farmers under the age of 44 has gone from the land in the past ten years in Ireland. The witnesses can probably discern my viewpoint on the matter. The way agriculture is being dealt with across the State is failing geographically and in terms of targets.

I would like some honest feedback from the witnesses in that regard. Do they perceive that to be the case?