Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is rare to hear a presentation at the Oireachtas that is so passionate. The witnesses have very passionate views about this issue which one has to admire. They made a comment in their opening address which was unfortunate and should be formally withdrawn regarding Johne's in the dairy herd. It is a very serious issue, and we should not say anything like that about the dairy herd. However, I acknowledge the witnesses' passion. They have a real issue which needs to be addressed about where the star ratings go, how they have been addressed and how they have fallen so dramatically. Many years ago there was a similar issue with cross breeds in the dairy industry and the Jersey where there was also great opposition. The question of where our beef industry is going, where the quality of stock is going and what is determined as quality of stock is something that must be addressed and looked at. They are important points. Questions such as what is classed as a first class bull, whether in terms of milk production, fertility or configuration, are those for which the breeders need real answers.

If the issue is configuration, that must be addressed. The breed is fantastic but when it comes to other issues, is that where the star rating is falling? This is what we need to ask of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, ICBF. We need to know why the star rating is falling.

We have seen huge variations in genomics. We have seen bulls fall dramatically in all breeds. They were literally on the list one year and not on it the next. This issue goes across the entire industry and affects both dairy and beef farmers. It is problematic for farmers to follow a genomics line, to have a bull rated one year but not even listed the next. How can we stand over that and push the industry forward? There is great concern throughout the dairy and beef sectors on that issue.

Reference was also made to the configuration of the board, about which I was not aware until I heard today's presentation. That is a unique and serious point that has to be addressed. It is not acceptable to have a conglomerate having such a degree of control over a board. I will gladly raise this issue when the representatives come before us later. We need to get clarity on who has control and ownership of the board. The fact that only one farming organisation is represented is another serious issue.

The witnesses before us certainly have passion, which I respect. We will do our best to get some answers to some very serious questions.