Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for providing so much valuable information. This is another step in the process of regulating farmers out of business. The Minister might argue that it is not serious because it will not come in for another two years. We spoke a few minutes ago about the nitrates directive, which was introduced in 1992 but has not yet been regulated. How does the Minister envisage that the new regulation will improve matters? The record of farmers in their transport of stock is generally quite good. If one wants to move cattle from County Donegal to another county for show and tell purposes, for example, it will not be very long until one has travelled 50 km or 65 km. In such circumstances, one would have to get a haulier or review one's licensing structure. How do the regulations apply to a person moving a horse to a race meeting?

According to the figures provided by the Minister today, we have destocked 1 million head in this country. We destocked 1 million head between 1998 and 2003, even though the single premium was not in place. If farmers are to remain in business, we have to be very careful about introducing further regulations. How will this regulation improve the livestock sector? Is the Minister suggesting that farmers are not using reasonable means of transporting and handling livestock at present?

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