Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests. Rather than supporting the production of affordable food, the focus of the CAP negotiations seems to be on increasing environmental measures without the funding that would be needed to do so effectively. Commitments and targets have been signed up to without the backing of the agricultural sector here. In the race to catch up with our commitments, will the EU the funding be weighted to the larger operators to the detriment of our smaller family farmers?

We recently discussed alternatives to horticultural peat and the production of coir, for instance. It is said to have environmental consequences for the countries that produce it. When it comes to the alternatives for feed, additives and pesticides, we need to enable the organic farmers to prosper. What levels of self-sufficiency do we have in this regard? Could we develop our own capabilities to produce these items?

In Ireland we pride ourselves on our premium produce which is known throughout the world. It is dispiriting that successive Governments have paid little attention to producing organic food. This country has a global reputation for the finest produce that others can only dream of. This committee continually needs to discuss it. Over the years our farmers have not been presented with accessible and viable additions to their farming prospects. I ask the representatives here today to outline the experience of their members when giving consideration to getting into organic farming.