Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

Does the Minister of State accept that while some farmers made profits that could be described as super-normal in recent years, when historically high prices were being paid for milk, the vast majority of them reinvested those moneys in their farm holdings? Does he agree that the lowest price being garnered in the market at the moment — 20 cent per litre — is completely unsustainable for dairy farmers with small and medium-sized holdings? I take the point the Minister of State made about export refunds. I welcome the extension of the aid to private storage scheme. Is the case in aid scheme in operation at present? What kind of take-up is it enjoying? Is the efficacy of the calf replacer scheme being analysed at present? As part of the overall process of increasing market supports through the EU, will the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food examine the relationship between producers, retailers and the co-operative movement? It seems to me that the relationship is unbalanced — it is not based on equity. Perhaps the Minister and his colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, should consider introducing legislation on fair trade practices. We need to ensure the multiples act fairly when they designate a price to the primary producer, especially as the primary producer is a price taker.

See this speech in context