Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Mr. Keane. As usual, that was a very comprehensive statement from Macra na Feirme. We are focusing on young farmers and I will make one comment before I hand over to the members. The focus and comments have been on CAP. It is about generation renewal. Current farmers have to be confident and secure in passing responsibility on to the next generation. That is something that needs to be addressed if we are going to encourage transfer of land. We must think of the older generation as well and ensure it is confident in doing so. Many points have been very well made there. The forgotten farmers have been talked about in regard to many CAP programmes but no initiative has been put in place for them. Hopefully this time around, there will be some financial recognition of the fact that through no fault of their own, they lost out, as Mr. Keane mentioned, on installation aid, young farmer's top-ups and the grants and incentives for younger farmers.