James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Sherlock for sharing time.

I support this essential motion and put on record my disgust at the lack of acceptance by the Government of the basic reasoning behind it and the need to adopt its main recommendation, that is, the protection of our farmers, their livelihoods and an industry that is an irreplaceable part of our economy and heritage. It is not surprising that a Government that has been responsible for an unprecedented exodus of farmers from the land should not support a Fine Gael motion which has only one purpose, the prevention of another 50,000 farmers from being driven out of business. As we know, farming has been through a very rough time on this Government's watch. The huge amount of bureaucracy and red tape is unbelievable. As a farmer, I fully understand what our farmers have to go through, with bureaucracy and red tape, under this Government.

I have no conviction that the Government, particularly the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, can be trusted to protect Irish farmers and beef. Her record of support for Irish farmers in Europe, particularly regarding the EU bureaucracy and red tape which is destroying our farming industry, is not encouraging. If Mr. Peter Mandelson's headlong dash is not restrained, which will at this stage be akin to halting a high speed train, Irish farmers will face the alarming prospect of beef prices being halved to 60 cent per pound. On top of the loss of 50,000 farming jobs, a further 50,000 jobs in processing, manufacturing and services will go and the economy will be poorer by €4 billion per annum with the loss of the suckler cow herd as 1 million of these animals are to be slaughtered.

The Minister, Deputy Coughlan, admitted less than ten days ago that she does not have a complete analysis of the final impact of the latest proposals under WTO on the different strands of our agriculture sector. Surely it is not beyond the realms of possibility that she should keep on top of this one when one considers the projections and chilling outlook for agriculture of those who know, namely, the people protesting outside this House today, the IFA, other farming interests and IBEC. The way the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, behaved and her contribution here today was shameful and was a let-down to Irish farmers.

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