Why are farmers in debt? Why are farmers going out of business and leaving farming despite Ireland's competitive edge? What about the bill of €4.9 billion for imported food and drink? What is the Minister doing about this? The Minister is exhorting the farmers to double their bets in regard to 2020 vision, with no attempt to analyse the real problems facing the sector. Does he accept that realising what is contained in 2020 vision starts with himself? It starts with his Department. The first smart action that needs to be taken is to examine the way the Department of Agriculture and Food does its business. We have seen the painful results of the property boom where growth without a plan becomes a cancer that eats up our resources. The most urgent issue is the impending cuts to the budget. Has the Department prepared any costings for implementing the 2020 vision? Has it any idea what is the available budget for it?

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