Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Alternative farming is certainly now an option on the basis of decoupling and I note a slight trend in that direction such as specialisation in the free range area. We are doing all we can to encourage organic farming. This is a difficult task but every effort is being made to encourage it. On the basis of REPS, for example, we were in a position to give opportunities to people who wish to get involved in organic farming and not have their full farm considered as part of the REPS application. Alternatives are certainly being provided.

This is being complemented by work being done by my colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. He is working with me on Leader, CLÁR and a number of existing options as opposed to those provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Much work parallel to that under the rural development directive, which has now been signed off, will provide those alternatives and support off-farm income. Growth in farmers' markets has given added impetus to farmers to produce for such markets and other alternative areas. We now need to drive forward the opportunities that are there.

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