Dr. Maria Snell:

As a young farmer body representing not just rural youth but also young farmers, it is important we are given a voice. We have much to offer in this space. The Senator mentioned changing attitudes. We believe from our membership that we are already very environmentally aware. We have had the opportunity to have that perspective that perhaps the previous generation did not have at this stage. We would like the opportunity to carry this through and play an active role in the sector. At the moment, a number of barriers are presented when young farmers wish to enter this industry. For example, if a young farmer is in certain different partnerships or a limited company, they cannot get the different supports that others can. We would like those barriers to accessing the market and the business and the infrastructural supports removed. We wish to have a voice and we wish for a more level playing field to allow us to access those supports.

We are fortunate in that we have a very skilled young workforce. It is probably more or as skilled as our counterparts across Europe. We want to bring through science and innovation and the latest technologies. We are in a fortunate position in that we are looking forward. We want to engage with the existing technology and bring it through. We would welcome that opportunity. We feel we have an important part to play in that.

I will pass to Dr. Hanrahan now, who might like to contribute further from the young farmer perspective.