Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the different farming organisations. I ask the witnesses to take note of my questions because I have a few lined up and want their thoughts.

With the new proposals on the litreage - the 92, 102 and 82 - is there a fear in the dairy sector and among the farming organisations that the cow producing less milk and not producing a good calf, namely, the Jersey cow, would be used more, thus ensuring that we would have a lesser quality calf going to the beef sector? What is their solution to prevent that? It is not helping the whole situation. That is question one.

In the line of slurry, I agree. I think it was Mr. Cullinan who talked about a lot of towns having sewage going into rivers. Everyone is getting blamed. They are able to differentiate between human sewage and material from the slatted tanks and from cattle abroad in a field. I agree 100% on that but in the line of grants, do the witnesses agree that there is a lot of gear out there that, unfortunately, farmers have not the time or the tractors to drive? Some 80% of it is done by contractors and there is no grant there for them to help in that situation. That is the question two.

Third, will the witnesses explain their thinking on derogations? Some 123,000 farmers - or 125,000 as we are now up a thousand or two - have to abide by the nitrates regulations. Why are we hung up about 5,000, 7,000 or 8,000 farmers? I heard it said earlier that they could have to reduce or do X, Y and Z. Many farmers have to farm within the rules that are there, not look for a derogation and still survive. I am curious to know why there is such a hang-up about those 5,000, 6,000, 7,000 or 8,000 farmers.

On slurry, and this is coming from a farmer, we have to admit that stuff has gone on over the past number of years that is not helpful to the farming sector. Land has been rented in parts of the country, especially mountains, that is basically covering people. Let no one cod themselves that we will haul slurry 100 miles. I certainly never spread slurry for anyone on top of Benbulbin. What is the witnesses' solution to that?

A 30 km limit is being put in place. In view of the reports that have come out on water quality, do the witnesses think the process should be regionalised? I looked at the situation in the north and north west and it is pretty good. Do the witnesses think it should be regionalised along the lines of, say, the closed season? If you have average or poorish land like that in Leitrim or where I am from - I am no different from anyone else - if there is a wettish year, you are in trouble. Should there not be something in place for people doing the slurry?

Am I right in saying that the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has put in a submission to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in regard to all watercourses? The witnesses touched on that point and I know a bit of about it. Some 80% of land west of the River Corrib in Galway is designated. If you have to go fencing watercourses there, it will cost approximately €7,000 or €8,000. With every environmental issue blocking you, you cannot put up a fence. It will stop farmers from farming. I am wondering what the witnesses' thoughts are on that.

I was interested to hear what was said about slurry storage. I understand 40% of farmers around the country are under pressure at the moment with slurry storage. It could be fewer or more of them. My understanding is that people will not get a grant if they are over the threshold at this time. In fairness, is it not a good idea from the Department, as much as we kick them, to bring in a grant? You can still get a grant for soiled water or whatever water or, say, in the case where the water in a yard runs off where the cattle are walking. Does this not give a back door to solve the problem of getting a grant for the soiled water? I noted comments that were made on this issue during the week and I want to know the witnesses' thoughts on it. It was stated that it does not have to be separated if people have enough area to cover it.

My last question is on anaerobic digesters. Everyone is in favour of them but I understand - the witnesses will correct me if I am wrong - that to bring the product to pellet form, it needs some type of incentive or financial help because it is not cost-efficient at the moment.