Dr. Oliver Moore:

-----for example. However, the provisions in CAP do little to build an appropriate forestry base. There is a strong case to bring in expertise from elsewhere in the EU to assess and evaluate current policy and develop better practices in forestry and agroforestry. Approaches such as the co-operation areas, including building from the European innovation partnership base are to be welcomed and must continue to grow. We need to begin approaching these questions.

Diversification also relates to farm incomes. According to the European Commission, "the share of Irish farmers in the value chain fell from close to 20% in 2008 to just around 18% in 2016. This is below the long-term EU average of roughly 25%." How do we address this sustainably? Teagasc supports research, sharing good practices, and technical assistance, but we need policy to mainstream on-farm diversification. The LEADER programme does much, but more is needed.

The regional economy needs to be taken into account when considering diversification. Reaching our climate targets in a just transition framework means supporting new directions for regional economies. There are many elements to this, including developing food hubs, local and regional markets and processing opportunities, while also supporting digital infrastructure and the other targets in the Our Rural Futures policy. Rural broadband roll-out has been especially poor thus far and needs to be taken seriously as a national need.

Finally, I will address fairness, which involves farmers, sectors, population groups and regions. For farmers, Ireland will move to 85% convergence by 2026 and 10% redistributive payments. While this is welcome, it is the slowest pace and lowest redistribution possible. Why is this? Other concerns include the lack of a small farmer scheme and social conditionality references. In addition, the size requirement of producer organisations, at €2.5 million turnover, is too high.

Modelling needs to be done on the impact of redistributive payments at high percentages; on allocating redistribution exclusively to small and medium sized farms, which Italy plans to do for farms below 50 ha; and on differentiating payment levels by farm size. Policy expert Matteo Metto has reported on CAP and fairness in Ireland. I ask members to refer to him for more details and, ideally, invite him to speak to the committee.

For women farmers, potential new entrants and people in rural areas, there is a need for access to land, supports, resources and opportunities. Land observatories and land mortgages have been suggested. Developing diversification and organics would also help to revitalise rural areas and provide welcome opportunities for people in rural areas and those who would like to relocate them.