Mr. James Kelly:

Senator Paul Daly asked how the tillage industry can survive. It will survive with support and incentivisation by all the relevant bodies - Government, Bord Bia, Origin Green, etc. We produce some of the best quality produce anywhere in Europe, if not the world, allied to the highest yields. That is achieved thanks to the climate here and our expertise and willingness to learn as growers and producers of these goods. Some of the supports and incentivisation that could be included would be the quality assurance, and capital allowances for the tillage sector to upgrade machinery, which would help farm safety as well as everything else, buildings etc. It would be of great help to the tillage sector.

We also need help in reintroducing the sugar beet industry. Especially in our area the sugar beet industry was a major loss to the tillage sector and the arable sector in particular. There are great prospects and there is a great future there if the right incentives and encouragement were given to those promoting the reintroduction of growing sugar beet in Ireland.

As Mr. Carter said, we would have no problem producing malting barley if the price was right. Some of the most experienced and long-term growers of malting barley are moving away from production because they are not being adequately rewarded for growing the crop.