Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for the comprehensive submissions they have given us. I have a few points on which I would like them to elaborate over and above the information they have included in their submissions. My big question is based on my observations of the organic schemes to date. We hear all the bells and whistles about the scheme being opened up again, and that it will do the devil and all and that we will have organic farmers left, right and centre. Then we are contacted by people interested in joining the scheme who are complaining they have been eliminated from doing so because of the scoring system and the points system for applications. People tell me it is very heavily weighted towards dairy as opposed to sheep or tillage. I would like witnesses to comment on this. How do they see that a more level playing field could be created with regard to making the scheme as equally accessible for every sector of the agricultural sphere?

I would also like to hear a little more on what education and training schemes and systems they would like to see incorporated into the organic sector. This is specifically for organics as opposed to across the board education and training. I will mention one specific aspect. I read the submissions from the two groups before us now and the submissions from the two groups joining us in the second session. I was a little surprised that the word "soil" was not mentioned in any of them. To me, from previous deliberations with those involved in the organic sector, soil is the key factor when it comes not just to organic farming but also in the climate change sphere we are in. Soil, for its sequestration value, seems to be a key player in how agriculture will evolve and be maintained in future. I would like comments from the witnesses, especially on the back of the announcement of the pilot programme for soil sampling. Is there a bigger role for soil sampling and perhaps other initiatives regarding soil and soil structure sequestration values and storage values? I would like to hear some comments on what way the witnesses would like to see policy being developed, which as much as anything would help and evolve their knowledge of soil and soil structure and how it can be used. I will leave it at that for now and if time allows, I may contribute again at the end.