Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I agree with the Minister that the global aspect impacts on this issue. It brings to centre stage the issue of food security and I hope the Minister will pursue this point at the CAP health check. I am appalled at the naivety of the Minister and the Minister of State with responsibility for food, Deputy Sargent, who stated the issue about voting with the French. The French are self-sufficient and they want Fortress Europe because it will drive up the price of their produce. They do not want imports. To argue that we were with the French is illogical and a disservice to Irish agriculture. On a practical issue, let me raise the spreading of pig manure and fertilisers and the application of the nitrates directive and REPS farmers. The cost base of pig producers could be reduced if they were able to use lands in a REPS scheme for the disposal of pig slurry rather than be obliged to spread it.

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