Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the presentation, which gave a unique angle on where we are going in this really significant debate on the nitrates derogation. Could I get down to the meat and bones of the issue and the empowerment of farmers with information? This is probably the key issue. I am referring in particular to getting out information on water testing. Is there a deficit of knowledge about EPA testing in the farming community regarding what is happening in our rivers? When the EPA tests a body of water, it can take months, if not years, for the information to be made public. How do we empower the farming community with the information? Dairy farmers get the results of milk tests within 48 hours of the bulk tank leaving, whereas one might get the result of an EPA test of a water body 18 months later. What initiatives concerning the EPA should there be to empower farmers with information? How can the EPA work within the catchments to give farmers the information required to take action on foot of a bad water test result, such that the quality of the entire water body could be improved within 12 months?

On anaerobic digestion, a very valuable point was made about size and capacity. What is happening in Ireland is unique by comparison with what is happening on the Continent. Should co-operative societies be a major driver of anaerobic digestion? Where should the co-operative movement play a role? It is a big driver in our economy in so many ways and has a conglomerate of farmers already tied to it. Should Macra na Feirme examine whether a reconfigured co-operative society movement could take on anaerobic digestion as one of its main projects?

We have discussed TAMS and planning. Where are we going to go in the next 12 or 13 months to see real changes in practice that could see real changes in water quality, but under a new derogation if it comes in? What does Macra na Feirme want from the Government between now and October? What needs to happen on the ground so we can empower farmers again to help them make the changes, including in respect of long-term plans, waiting for TAMS grants of 70% and everything else? We are probably a little bit off in that we will not have it done in the next seven or eight months. I do not know whether you would have storage by next October if you were to start today. What can we do in this short space of time? What needs to be done, considering that time is ticking regarding this significant issue? The rural economy could be affected. People say dairy farms are the big entities in that there are jobs in transport and processing. The milk pool decreased last year by 3%. The knock-on implication for the rural economy, whether in west Cork or Tipperary, is considerable. Could we have an idea of how the younger generation of farmers, in particular, will be affected and how the confidence level of a younger farmer investing will be affected? The younger farmers are really important drivers. If they are not involved in the system, the entire system will deteriorate.