Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

Can she explain why the biggest single dairy farmer in County Monaghan has opted to sell out? It is simply because there is no income. Does the Minister acknowledge there is absolute panic in this regard? Currently, for whatever reason, farm leaders are bringing that panic to bear on co-ops but co-ops are only passing on the result of the Minister's predecessors' negotiations at WTO and European level, namely, a collapse in milk prices. When the Commissioner was in the Chamber last week, it was clear she had no knowledge whatsoever of the seriousness of the situation. I ask the Minister to treble her efforts at EU level to make sure that instead of the pittance handed back to us at the last management committee meeting, the next meeting delivers real help to the industry so prices can be maintained.

Has the Minister considered increasing funding for research and development? I understand that only 4% of the overall national funding towards research and development goes to the food industry whereas the industry accounts for one fifth of net exports. Has she considered removing the disease and dairy inspection levies? The co-op to which I send my milk — I have a personal interest in this regard — takes most of its supply from Northern Ireland. Farmers in Northern Ireland do not have to pay a dairy inspection levy or a disease levy. These issues are within the control of the Minister. Will she consider giving the €500 to €800 cost of the levies back to farmers at a time when the country is awash with money?

Farmers are under extreme pressure, the like of which I have never seen. One need only consider the results of the Lakeland Dairies meeting in Cavan or any other dairy meeting throughout the country to understand the frustration. If it had not been for the change in the milk quota regime for this year, there is no doubt many more farmers would have opted out. We will see that happen next year.

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