Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

I welcome this motion as it draws attention to a number of issues that currently affect the farming community. At a time of increasing costs, the legislation changing the manner in which farmers have access to animal medicines will only serve to add to the burden of farmers.

Most Deputies received considerable numbers of representations from both farmers and those involved in local co-operatives while the Veterinary Bill was being debated. Complaints regarding the new legislation continue. Changes with regard to the sale of animal medicines are both unnecessary and costly. There is no reason many of the products required by farmers for the day to day running of their farms must be accessed in the manner proposed. Of course we need to have controls over the type of products that are available, but the general consensus among farmers is that there are already adequate controls in place. It could also be argued that these regulations will create an underground economy with sinister people more than willing to fill the demand that will exist.

We must refer to a number of other issues affecting farming in the context of any debate on the sector. There are too few opportunities for this debate. The issue currently foremost in people's minds is the proposal by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson to undermine the single farm payment as part of the forthcoming negotiations at the World Trade Organisation. We have already seen the Irish sugar beet sector damaged as part of efforts to strike trade deals. I trust the Minister and the Government will strenuously oppose any further moves that will damage the viability of farming in this country and in the EU generally.

When the CAP reform package was agreed, the clear understanding was that there would be no changes to the new regime until at least 2013. The majority of farmers accepted decoupling on that basis and I welcomed it at the time as a possible means to establish basic income security for a set period. I believed it could also be used to allow farmers here to alter their production with a guarantee of not having to produce in order to earn specific subsidies and premia.

If Mr. Mandelson is allowed to place the current regime on the table at the WTO talks in order to strike a bargain with the United States and other trading blocs, the entire CAP reform will be placed in jeopardy. It is vital, therefore, that the issue is discussed at EU level by the different agriculture Ministers. I am sure the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, will convey the feelings of farmers here on the proposal that it should not be allowed to proceed.

Another issue that threatens the reputation of this country as the origin of safe and healthy food is the ongoing effort to open up the EU to genetically modified products. The Government continues to acquiesce in the EU's efforts by failing to oppose genetic modification at EU level. As a consequence, we have seen a series of authorisations of genetically modified products, including animal feed, which if introduced into this country's food system will mean that Ireland will no longer be regarded as a producer of traditional or organically grown produce. When one considers that most consumers are hostile to genetically modified food, the Government's position might have serious and damaging consequences for Irish farming and the marketing of Irish food.

I support the Fine Gael motion, the intention of which is to help farmers who have faced and are facing difficult times. I commend the motion to the House.

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