James Breen (Clare, Independent)

Living standards are intimately dependent on farm productivity. We rely on our farm produce to feed ourselves and to provide the surplus with which to buy those requirements that are physically impossible and economically impractical to produce at home. The agricultural sector, which employs one in ten of the workforce, must be protected and expanded. Labelling of produce is vitally important and rogue traders have no place in the process. More must be done to promote our agricultural products abroad. Will the Minister ensure there are oral hearings for people who fail the written test.

Anomalies in the farm retirement scheme must be addressed as a matter of urgency. There was an attempt to address the issue in reply to my priority question last week, but it was not satisfactory. Small farmers are the backbone of the rural economy and rural communities, and more must be done to ensure this way of life continues to be viable. Retirement presents a number of challenges to farmers, particularly where they are passing on the farm to the next generation. The Competition Authority should be asked to investigate prices paid by factories for meat produce in the autumn. For example, in 2004 the factories paid €20 less in the fall of the year for cattle bought in June. At a time when the farming community is experiencing a decrease in incomes, this type of practice cannot be allowed to continue. Will the Minister guarantee that small producers who were forced to sell their weanlings without the benefit of premiums are entitled to some compensation from the modulation fund? The incomes of cereal producers and farmers who plant their land must be promoted and guaranteed. Will the Minister ensure this aspect is addressed? I hope the Minister will carry out the promise she put on record tonight.

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