Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

In my county alone, two agricultural colleges have closed down. People are scared to death by the nitrates directive. In my parish alone, there were 13 pig farmers three years ago but now there are only two. This is due to the administration of the Government. I would like to bring the Minister to meet these people. Only 30 minutes ago I got a call from one of them who is giving up farming. That is what the Minister is doing to the pig industry.

South Tipperary was a great beet growing area. In addition to beet growers, there were many others involved in the industry, including contractors and animal feed producers. The Minister is out of touch with the agricultural sector. She should come to visit those people to see their problems but she is far away from the reality and does not understand what is happening.

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