Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ultimately, what we are seeing here is how our family farmers, on whatever type of land they are farming, are having to fight tooth and nail to be heard and for their livelihoods to be put front and centre. In this particular case farmers who are struggling to make a living are actually trying to ensure their land is not being stripped of agricultural status. That is effectively going to lock them out of farming and the supports they need to survive. The offer of a possible derogation is misleading and could actually draw them into a situation of carrying out these actions, which make farming impossible and which they fear may not be reversible in future. They need to see measures being taken by the Minister to assure them that what is being done is not deliberate.

In County Tipperary our farmers are responsible for some of the most picturesque and environmentally rich lands which fall under the GAEC conditions. However, there is an issue of trust there. I have three or four questions.

As the witnesses will be aware, farmers in Tipperary with lands in the Galtee and Knockmealdown mountains are concerned that the technicalities of what we are talking about today are going to trip them and the Department up and that will have huge consequences. In addition, farmers on commonages are concerned that if the technical details under GAEC 2 are not properly thought out that could result in a decision by one farmer to meet the GAEC 2 conditions, meaning that it will also be imposed upon others nearby without them having a say. Can the representatives from the Department confirm that this issue has been addressed? Will the officials confirm if they have relayed the concerns of our farmers to their counterparts elsewhere in the EU? Will they also negotiate a way to give long-term assurances to those farmers not signing away their land concerning their ability to actively farm forever? Is it possible to give those assurances to farmers?