Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Lombard for taking the Chair. We had a fairly long session of voting there.

I am lucky enough in that I have the next generation starting on the farm with me. Macra na Feirme is the organisation representing young farmers. What effect is it having on the morale of its members that the 250 kg N/ha to 220 kg N/ha reduction within the industry is forcing contraction on a number of farms, and with the danger of further reductions in the organic limit? Do they see that having an impact on those who are deciding whether to stay at home farming, and even on those young men and women who are farming? Is it having an impact on their morale? Is it having an impact on them making career decisions? I am not talking about the investment now. I am talking about their mental attitude to farming and whether they will pursue it as a career. We talk here about generational renewal and the impact it is having. Is the whole uncertainty about nitrates, with some farmers being forced to reduce stocking numbers - Dr. Hanrahan mentioned the uncertainty around stocking numbers - having a serious impact on morale? Will it further worsen our generational renewal?