Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

I appreciate the Minister's answer. I speak to this issue because of the current importance of the export market. It is a very productive sector and any inputs now or in the next two years will be vital to maintaining productivity and market share. There is a logic to maintaining the scheme. I ask the Minister to give a commitment to maintain the scheme and to review the payment. The Minister mentioned the ICBF. Its recent research, as indicated in the Irish Farmers' Journal of last week, suggests that the cow herd has shrunk by 6% this year. That could have negative implications for the future of the export market.

Is the Minister engaging with the farm organisations to, at least, maintain the scheme and to ensure, if there is a reduction from €80, that payment will continue to those farmers under the scheme?

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