Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a few quick questions. Why has the Department not got somebody like Dr. Frank Mitloehner to do studies on grass sequestration, as the agriculture sector remains a whipping boy in this regard? There is propaganda and I started looked at the RTÉ programme the other evening but I just turned it off. People are being paid to say that we should not drink milk or eat meat.

It is pure propaganda. There seems to be an imbalance in journalism when it comes to agriculture. Why have we not given money to somebody like Dr. Frank Mitloehner to perform the research to show the sequestration that is involved?

The Minister did not refer to animal health remedies. Is he going to give a derogation to veterinary suppliers? That issue is coming around the corner. He did not comment on Asda and the fact that it will be using only English beef. I ask him to clarify whether he will be introducing a suckler scheme in the next two years or is he going to continue with what is there and not introduce such a scheme?