Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I am thankful for the opportunity to speak. I wish the best of luck to the chairman designate. I would like to know his thoughts on the beef genomics scheme and on the stocking rate given the current position on beef. What are his thoughts on the factory feed lots? Is the market being distorted? Teagasc does a lot of research and, in fairness to it, it is very good at it. I have spoken to Professor Boyle numerous times. The likes of FRS has been contracted by Teagasc to do GLAS plans and so on. Teagasc had not the manpower itself because it lost staff. Should the ACA or private planners not come together and tender in this regard? Would there be an opportunity?

Teagasc is subsidised by the State. Professor Boyle will have argued over the years that it was not getting enough. The funding is for research and all the various programmes it puts together. A planner wishing to use the carbon navigator or that type of service in a private capacity must pay a fee. What are Teagasc’s thoughts on that?

What are the delegates’ thoughts on willow and forestry? Figures are coming out about willow. We know of farmers in County Meath who have dug it up and said it is not effective. What are the witnesses' thoughts on that? What are their views on young farmers? A new scheme is being created for them at the moment. What are their thoughts on the CAP? What are their thoughts on factory feed lots and the distortion of the markets, especially in the beef sector? What are their thoughts on the suckler herd and on how to make sure it is saved?

Consider what happens when we are selling ourselves abroad. We rear a lot of our stock on grass but, to put it bluntly, questions are currently being asked in Europe about how we are rearing some of our beef stock. Bearing in mind the CAP and nitrates requirements, do the delegates agree that, for every unit, we need an acre of green land?