Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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He is opening it in June or July for the young farmers. On the forgotten farmers, who have not been mentioned yet, can Mr. Keane bring us up to speed on what the story on that is. He mentioned land scarcity. Is it right around the country or where is it where dairy has increased?

My next question is for the INHFA, which mentioned ACRES. The drift we are getting is that a decision will be made tomorrow. I believe that is fair to say and I would say it will be positive, thought I am not the Minister. However that was the drift we were getting today regarding an extension. The witnesses will know about that tomorrow and I agree with them that an extension is needed. Mr. Roddy made a statement that farmers cannot access ACRES in special areas of conservation, SACs. My understanding is they can and I am trying to fathom what he is saying or is it an extra payment under it? Am I not correct in saying that if someone is in an SAC, they go into priority one, not two or three? In addition, will he elaborate on the sheep issue because I know that all the farming organisations have been talking about this and the way meal has gone up. Mr. Rushe talked about organic meal earlier on and with the way the price of meal has gone up, the sheep man who is fattening a lamb or whatever is in trouble. Is there any more room there? He might also talk about what he thinks the uptake is in organic, because I think it is fairly substantial.

My next question for the ICSA. Mr. Kelleher pointed out issues about the suckler cow . What is his understanding of the first ten cows under the new scheme, that is, under BEEP and this new suckler welfare scheme?

Will farmers struggle in the suckler sector in relation to everyone having to be in Bord Bia? Am I correct in saying that it would be over €200 for the first ten cows with BEEP and BEEP S and then after that it comes down? Can the witness give the committee the figures on that? Could there be a reduction of 40,000 this year regarding suckler cows and the new CAP?

Regarding TAMS and money, John Keane can take the money for young farmers. We need a new access for young farmers. Regarding TAMS, what is the feeling in the Department in ensuring there is enough money to increase the threshold? Concrete cost €85 a while ago and it now costs €120. People are going to get less money for trying to do the same job.