Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is great to have the witnesses before the committee. It is a very important topic. Climate change, CAP reform and this issue are probably the three issues that most affect the Irish farming community. Many farming pages have been written in the last few months about this issue. I will try to be brief. I am seeking clarity on the proposals. The banding of the cows and the fixing of the three bands being proposed are limiting to some degree. The second band, in particular, is quite large. The majority of the animals are in the second band. Are there proposals to consider more than just three bands and, given the demographics of the dairy herd, to look at extending the number of bands to five, perhaps? Has any modelling been done of that scenario, how it would fit in and how it could be more appropriately managed regarding this issue?