Mr. Niall Matthews:

On Senator Murphy’s question on the effect on other countries that have gone to 170 kg N/ha, I cannot give any detailed economic analysis, but looking at protests lately, there is much discontent, much of which is stemming from extra bureaucracy, red tape and restrictions. They all have major concerns about generational renewal.

France, in particular, has a serious issue with the lack of young farmers ready to take over. It all plays into a negative sentiment for younger farmers.

On Senator Dolan's question on technology, as Mr. Canning alluded to, some are fairly basic technologies. They just need more adaption. There is the old nugget of the nutrient management plan. Every farmer in the country should have an nutrient management plan with up-to-date soil samples. That is a pretty basic one. A few of the more recent technologies include replacing chemical nitrogen with clover swards and mixed sward species, protected urea, and lower protein concentrate, which is now being put out there as a means of mitigating the nitrogen part. Slurry storage is a very basic one. I am not sure it could be called a technology but it is essential. Everything needs to be done to ensure we have enough slurry storage, whether that is fast-tracking planning applications or ensuring there is a decent grant for everyone to avail of. Those few things are my take on it.