Mr. Michael Spellman:

I was particularly interested to hear Deputy Ryan say that the price being received today for what is being produced is nothing more than it was 18 or 20 years ago. How right he is. When we hear that, we must ask whether people are prepared to pay more for the food they eat. That is a serious question. I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy that now might be a good time to have a national conversation or forum that would look at all aspects of the future of farming in Ireland. ICOS understands that we face major challenges on issues like generational renewal and getting people to represent the industry at board level. Many things will change dramatically in the coming years. For example, on average terms across the EU, 46% of farmers' income comes from CAP. If CAP is not properly funded and if the funding is not enhanced in the short to medium term, there will be a further decline in farming activity in rural areas. We talk about continuing expansion. There are areas in this country where we will not be able to engage in any great form of expansion and if there is no support for the sort of measures and programmes that are working very well on farms at the minute - I referred to GLAS, TAMS and other programmes that are supported - we will see a further decline in our industry and we will all suffer, particularly when we must face the enormous challenges posed by climate change. If we are not there to do that at individual farm level up and down the country, the citizens of Ireland will be the greatest losers.