Ollie Wilkinson (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Last week, I had the pleasure of a visit from the Minister in my constituency. She spent six hours with numerous delegations representing people connected with farming. All the main bodies and each of the delegates were more than impressed at her knowledge of farming and her commitment to it. She has done wonderful work since taking up office. She now deals with three issues, one jointly, namely, the nitrates issue.

We live in a time of change and challenge. Contrary to the message we get from Opposition benches, we have a strong and vibrant farming industry because farmers are very pragmatic people. However, we are faced with the nitrates question, particularly for the pig and poultry sector. I wonder if the pig and poultry sector were forgotten up to now by their representatives. The nitrates directive, as it currently stands, would not be helpful to these two industries. I have confidence in both Ministers that, with the help of scientific advice, they will reach a solution to the problem.

On the sugar beet issue, there is no doubt that sugar beet is part and parcel of the Irish farming scene. There were shock waves when the word came through that we were not to have a sugar beet industry in the future. It is amazing that farmers were divided when the word came through. Some want to continue growing beet while others are emphatic that the compensation must be maximised, which I understand. Last week, in Waterford, farmers from both sides of the divide spoke to the Minister, Deputy Coughlan. It is a difficult issue. It is a great loss to farming but we must move on. We must consider new crops that will take the place of sugar beet.

I watched "Prime Time" last night and I think the Fine Gael and Labour parties have a massive problem. I listened to the Green Party representative, and whatever about the situation at the moment in regard to the nitrates directive, if that party has its way, I do not know how the Fine Gael and Labour parties will be able to reconcile their views with the views of that party.

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