Mr. Tom Canning:

Our key belief is in relation to nitrates and improving water quality. Proper nutrient management is a key element of that.

It is about chemical and organic nutrients being applied to land at the right time in the right place and in as environmentally friendly a way as possible. Key to that is a nutrient management planning system. We have worked closely with Teagasc in the development of that. Unfortunately, our members are having to pay for it. When we put this argument to the Department of agriculture, it said it is only costing us €5 for every client we deal with. However, when that is added up across our membership, we are paying €300,000 or more to Teagasc. That money could be used very effectively for the training and support we could provide for our members. We need additional support and recognition from the Department of the contribution we can make.