Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

The Deputy may be referring to the fact that it might be better to grow organic food here rather than importing it from far away locations. The no-till method is quite in keeping with organic methods. If the Deputy is serious about the incomes and welfare of farmers, he should consider what the market wants. The fact that we are obliged to import 70% of the organic produce sold in this country indicates that major opportunities exist not only here, but also in the UK, which regards Ireland as a local market. I would have thought the Deputy, if he is serious about this matter, would want us to grab a piece of the UK market, which is valued at €2 billion.

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