Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I made a point about the bands. What are the witnesses' views on the bands and the promotion of the cross-bred cow? Is there any flexibility to increase the bands, particularly the middle band? Could the middle band be increased upwards? If a farmer is getting near that threshold, there is significant temptation to move to a cross-bred cow to bring down yield? This would be counterproductive to what we want to achieve as regards sustainability. Could there be some flexibility regarding the bands? The genetic merit of cows has improved dramatically, particularly during a year like this when there has been tremendous grass growth, and cows have milked exceptionally well. I would hate to see the introduction of these bands having a detrimental effect on the improvements in breeding we have seen. Could the Department look at that again and see if anything can be done with the bands so that people on the limit of a band will not think of doing things that would be detrimental to sustainability.

On behalf of the committee, I thank the Minister and officials from the Department for engaging with us on this important issue. I propose that we hold our next private meeting at 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 30 November. Is that agreed? Agreed.