Mr. Edward Carr:

I thank the Deputy for her question. The whole area of generation renewal is a big concern. However the main concern is the word "uncertainty". There is a generation of farmers out there who want to farm. There is no doubt about that. I am not just talking about dairy farming it is in all aspects and all enterprises that are willing to do it. It is the uncertainty. That is why clarity has to come into this very quickly because farmers are expected to increase their slurry storage and to further invest in their businesses but they do not know the end game. They do not know where it will lead them. Will they have a business in a few years? That uncertainty is why the Government needs to start collaborating very quickly with its colleagues in the EU and make a decision on the nitrates derogation. We have a generation of farmers who are very willing, well educated and ready to take up the mantle of the generation before them and it would be a pity to lose them because of this. I will ask my colleague Mr. Matthews to give a few examples of what has happened even since the reduction of 250 kg N/ha to 220 kg N/ha and the size of farms that have been affected.