Mr. Pat McCormack:

On the question on solar panels and the eco-scheme, the scheme is quite rigid. As I said, there was an opportunity in the menu for selection to meet the second criterion, for either milk recording or solar panels to be incentivised. It shows the issue we face. Today is about CAP but from an environmental perspective, it is frustrating for farm families that they were not included in the measures that could be used in an eco-scheme when they would have a significant positive impact on our national energy inventory but not from an agricultural perspective. We acknowledge the future availability of 60% grant aid for solar panels under TAMS. As Mr. Punch mentioned, in agriculture we must be cross dependent and if we are to meet our national targets, we need joined-up thinking in the various sectors. The availability of solar panels provides a major opportunity to reduce energy usage on farms as we move forward. Unfortunately, farmers cannot qualify for an eco-scheme using that option and that is a missed opportunity. It would have been a significant incentive.