Mr. Thomas Duffy:

I thank the Senator. We engage with all of the other farm organisations fairly regularly and we are in communication with most of them and discuss various proposals. We have independence within our organisation, as do the other farm organisations, and we try to work together for common goals. Certainly when it comes to young farmers we do not shy away from demanding what needs to be demanded in CAP and under other supports.

Horticulture is a very complicated industry, not primarily because of the production method but because of market access, which is a major obstacle for many people. We do have young farmers who are involved in the horticulture sector but it is a very regional approach, primarily based on some of the best land in Meath and Louth with diversification.

On the question of diversification, the key area from where we would see support coming is under Pillar 2 of the LEADER funding for diversification and processing of on-farm product to try to capture more of the value in the supply chain. Areas with which the Senator is more familiar, which are outside prime farmland but have high levels of tourist flow, would see major benefits. An example is the Tipperary food project, with which the Chair is familiar. It has added value and it has been very successful.

Our major concerns around some of the language focused on horticulture is that in reality it needs to be farmer driven. Farmers know their land better than anyone else. For instance, I know my land is simply not suitable for cultivation over the longer term. It would lead to degradation of the soil. Senator Daly and Deputy Carthy are familiar with similar soils. Ultimately, they cannot be continuously cultivated. There is potential here and we support any measure that could return greater benefit to the farm. On this topic, I would like to hand over to the president-elect, Mr. John Keane, on the aspect of the food regulator. It is something on which he has had a keen focus.