Dr. Liam Hanrahan:

There is an expectation out there that the farmer should absorb increased costs of regulation or anything else. It is ironic to talk of food waste when, in reality, we are farming out the problem from an environmental perspective with 83% of imports. The food miles associated with that are massive. Below-cost selling is an unbelievable issue and cannot keep going. The agrifood regulator and office will have to address these issues. There is no doubt about that, considering our promotion of diversification in other sectors. If other sectors are not viable or attractive for young people to stay in, never mind enter, it will be a non-runner in the future. We will have to look to value payments for Irish growers and start valuing Irish produce more.