Professor Gerry Boyle:

I will kick off and then Dr. Ryan might join in. When it comes to ambition, clearly the European Green Deal, as we say in our opening statement, sets a horizon point. The strategy is pretty new and it lays out a target of 7.5%. What is realistic is a difficult question. In part, it is based on past experience and the slow rate of growth. The amount of time it has taken even to build up to the modest 2% is indicative of underlying real challenges, when it comes to developing this opportunity. Second, if one looks at the structure of Irish agriculture, it is not surprising that the vast majority of organic farmers at the moment are involved in beef production. I think it was Deputy Michael Collins who made the point earlier that there are serious market challenges in that respect. As we go forward and look at the challenges that beef and dairy farmers will have in addressing climate change targets, the biggest challenge that beef farmers face in this country, and have done for several years, are the extraordinarily poor levels of income. These are entirely supported by direct payments. The market returns are poor, whether in conventional or organic production. As Mr. Brennan said, the premium is relatively modest at the moment.

The technical challenges to managing a beef farm are quite extraordinary, even under conventional practices, as the sector is faced with difficult market conditions. For that reason, as well as the dominance and nature of the beef sector, the demographics of the sector, the skill and educational levels and so forth, all make me exceptionally cautious about trying to exploit the opportunities. There is no one at this meeting who would not like to see us approaching the levels that are set out in the European Green Deal or, indeed, substantially developing from our position at present. However, we have to face up to the realities in relation to the obstacles that confront farmers. We will do our best. Education is crucial. The whole management system - I think the Deputy mentioned this - is an entire turn-around in the approach to farming practices. That will require significant investment by ourselves and by farmers. The farmers have to be prepared to undertake significant investment in education, for instance. Farmers, particularly those in the beef sector will ask themselves whether, at the end of that investment, they will get the premium in the marketplace that would justify that investment? Will they get the premium in the marketplace that would offset the risk taken by not being able to use conventional inputs and so on? Farmers are canny at assessing these kinds of issues. Irish farmers are risk averse, in my experience. All these factors militated against us being over-optimistic about what is possible. Personally, I think the 7.5% is a stretching target, if we can deliver it. Dr. Ryan may wish to make an additional comment.