Dr. Alex Copland:

We agree. Farming biodiversity would not be there without farmers. We need farmers in the uplands to preserve and maintain those habitats. The Common Agricultural Policy needs substantial reform in order to make sure it is delivering adequately for farmers, food production and citizens as well as for biodiversity and the environment, but the Heritage Bill does not address any of those issues. The responsibility of the Heritage Bill is not to tackle issues with the farming structures in Ireland. We could talk about young farmers and the need for generational renewal or eligibility for payments but that has nothing to do with the Heritage Bill. I agree that these changes should happen. They need to happen but again in the context of the debate about the Heritage Bill they have to be viewed separately. I do not see how the Heritage Bill can address those issues.