Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I fully understand what Mr. Savage said. He explained it a lot better than I described it. It is the frustration in the system. We are trying to improve water quality and make sure as many farmers as possible have enough storage. It is about trying to encourage them along this road. It is about trying to make sure we have the potential to make sure everyone has the storage required. Unfortunately, there is the potential for there to be changes and limits with regard to organic excretion rates, which could put the majority of farmers under pressure. If these changes and limits in excretion rates come forward, and farmers are put in a situation whereby they go from being in compliance to being non-compliant, how will it work out? Teagasc produced a report, which meant the excretion rates of a cow were underestimated in recent years. We are now saying they are at a different level. This can take farmers from compliance to a different bracket and rule them out of the opportunity to apply for the grant. How can we round this circle to make sure we reach the water quality targets that have been spoken about so much in recent days?