Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a question on organic farming. There is an ambitious programme to increase the number of farmers operating the organics farming scheme. Is the Minister happy that we are on target to get to the figures we are hoping for or is there potential to increase that? Linked to that, in respect of protein plants, I note the European Parliament recently adopted a protein and leguminous plant strategy. I wonder is there potential in this country for us to increase the number of protein plants our farmers are growing? It strikes me that they would be useful for human and animal consumption.

I also have a question in respect of the areas of natural constraint, ANCs. When the review will be complete and will there be an increase in the budget there? It seems that there is not. The Minister might update me on that. Forestry is crucial for us in respect of mitigating our carbon levels. Are we satisfied with the amount of plantings that we have or is there potential to improve on that? I refer in particular to broad leaves in particular.