Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. I have a question for each of the farming organisations, the first of which is for the INHFA. There are farmers in my constituency in Tipperary with a stake in this problem and it is sad to see that, judging by the approach being taken here, all of the work they and their forefathers have put into their businesses could potentially be wiped out at the stroke of a pen. We need to be certain that any measures taken in the context of the environment do not deliberately or inadvertently lead to irreversible and negative consequences for farmers and their livelihoods.

Is this uncertainty having an impact on these farms in making plans for the future? If it is, the damage is already done and that message needs to be passed on to everybody involved in the negotiations. We continually hear about the move away from supporting farm incomes and production towards environmental demands, and this was mentioned again in the IFA's opening statement. I am sure we all agree that the best way forward to advance good land management is to bring the farmers along with us. We are talking today about certain types of lands potentially losing agricultural status. The IFA noted that if these matters result in negative consequences for our farmers, they will also have a social impact on rural Ireland. I would like the association to highlight the seriousness of this issue. Will Mr. Cullinan comment on the implications of this kind of an approach for rural Ireland in general? Is it properly thought out?

The ICMSA representatives spoke about the EU food supply chain not functioning properly. Will they comment on how planning issues within our country are having an impact on dairy production? We have seen this in Belview. Is the association concerned that this could set a precedent in the years to come as we face into the new CAP and the post-Brexit environment? Does it have any suggestions with regard to the areas that need to be cleared up here so that these issues will not arise again?