Mr. John Keane:

It is not a simple one to answer but we will do our best. The policy at an Irish level drove agriculture to where we are now. We had huge diversification 25 years ago and had industries in sugar beet and larger sectors in tillage and so forth. Policy drove specialisation and improvement and efficiencies, which returned and yielded for many farmers, but it reduced the variety operating on the farm. Our diversification models, which were referenced by the Deputy, speak to what diversification looks like from a policy and Government point of view. Diversification in terms of what we produce on a farm is a completely different story and is outlined in our opening statement as referring to opportunities outside of the standard farming practices be it tillage, dairy, beef, poultry or pigs. To bring that point back to where we started, where is the investment in those and where are we creating the opportunities for the sector to move forward? There was a question or a response in the Dáil Chamber during the week about accessing a biomethane fund at a European level for which we did not apply. I think we were one of two member states which did not apply for this. If committee members put themselves in our shoes they would hear diversification being spoken about by Government representatives but the investment not following what we are saying. If we are saying this is something we need to do, the funds need to follow and the investment needs to create the opportunity. There is a €3 million fund this year for a pilot scheme for research into anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion has been operating in Europe for 30 years. How much more research do we need to see on whether the technology is going to work or not in Ireland? We need investment for it to be implemented.

Regarding on-farm diversification, the security of supply for our basics, whether that is feed for livestock, forage, or necessary requirements in terms of what we import, is important. If we can supply and grow these in Ireland, all the better. That is something we should be driving forward and which Macra na Feirme would support. If it creates more opportunity, all the better. It has to be our model going forward.

As stated by some, there is no requirement for us to produce food but at the same time we should be looking at food production from a global food systems approach and not just in an individual country. Each country and area of the world should be producing food that is suitable for its climate and which it is able to grow in its climate. We are blessed in this country by what we can grow in our climate. Expecting us to grow avocados or to be able to grow sunflowers is not something that can be done. We can grow diversification on-farm and it is something we support. The alternative source incomes which we mentioned here in connection to diversification will require investment. Mr. Hanrahan will come in on this briefly.