Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

I have no doubt that the Minister of State shares my concerns. The problem lies in what happens after the transitional arrangements expire. My difficulty is with the Cavan and Monaghan aspect of the problem. It appears to me that Cavan and Monaghan have been left out. A major part of our farming sector is made up of the poultry and pig industries and small farmers in these industries have great concerns for their future. That the derogation does not apply to them brings major problems. They feel they are being treated less favourably than other counties across the country.

As there is no derogation, the big problem is to make customer farmers comfortable about taking fertiliser that is organic. It appears that it is okay to put chemical materials on land. There are practical problems when putting the onus on the farmer to analyse the product that is coming in. The farmers feel that much of the onus is being put on them and that there are too many regulations. The last book of regulations contained 35 pages, which is a great concern to them.

They are also concerned about the helpline. Rather than other industries having to intensify and increase their volume, the pig and chicken farmers feel that their only way out is to reduce output. Are we expected to take chicken, pork and bacon off the menu? Will we start importing them? These foods must be produced here and this is a major issue for us in Cavan and Monaghan.

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