Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I came across a very interesting model from the mid west in the United States, with an organic farmers' co-operative comprising members whose herd size did not exceed 100. Animal health was of an extraordinary standard and collectively, from the producer right through, they had put together an extremely exciting product. The agricultural sector in the United States is very industrialised but this seems to break the mould and examples are emerging of sustainable farming practices. My frustration, however, is that the European Union farming model goes against the interests of rural communities in the long term and we are starting to see that unravel. I am interested in what Ms Tacon said about subsidising people who adopt good, sustainable, environmental practice rather than meeting an economic model through a cheap food policy. I am continually searching for best practice internationally in this area. Ms Tacon is an adjudicator who is implementing legislation but I feel we are not joining up the dots internationally. Whenever farmers come together to demand better prices for their products they are told it is against the market. The legislative framework seems to protect the major meat factories rather than assist farmers to come together to get a fair price. It protects markets rather than rural communities.