Mr. Edward Carr:

In recent times, many mixed messages have been coming but our job is to put our case forward. We would question some of the decisions that are being made. Are they based on facts? As highlighted in our document, there is a compelling case here that, as one of the most efficient producers of food in the world, we are being compared to others. We are the only country in Europe that is going to have a derogation finishing up. Who else is entitled to one? The message has to be put across that the system we have in this country for producing food is the most efficient. Why not let us continue to produce it in a sustainable manner? That is the message that we as an organisation bring. It is one we want to bring to the Government and take across to the European Commission to try to reinforce our case. We were talking about science. The science has proven the point that our claims are true and accurate. There is extra work to be done; I have no doubt about that. As I said, farmers will embrace the extra effort. However, as a broad-line agricultural enterprise, we have the basis to produce food in the most sustainable manner possible anywhere in the world. Our feeling as an organisation is that this has to be identified and partnered with for us to continue to do that.