Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

The original question was based on the premise that budgetary cuts have been applied across the board in the agriculture sector. This is the only opportunity available to me to highlight some of those cuts. For example, investment in research and training has decreased by 13%. Similar reductions have been applied in areas like food safety, health and welfare, plant health, income and market supports and income supports for disadvantaged areas. When one examines the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's entire programme of expenditure, one has to conclude that the Government's ability to implement the programme for Government is seriously hampered. Those of us responsible for the agriculture brief have not been given any legislation to consider since the last election. When will the animal welfare Bill be published, in line with the commitment in the programme for Government? The extensive consultation period in that regard does not seem to have come to a conclusion. On what date will it be concluded? I would also like to ask about the proposed establishment of an all-Ireland GM-free zone. When does the Department envisage that this process will be concluded and this policy will be implemented?

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