Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I agree with the Deputy on the stocking rate. Ireland has a problem with understocking in some commonages and mountainous areas. People need to realise that the sensitive biodiversity of the hillsides in question relies on stock keeping certain grasses and plants down by grazing. Understocking is often as dangerous to biodiversity and the protection of the landscape as we know it as overstocking. There is much evidence to suggest we need to increase stocking rates. My Department is pursuing this. In the not-too-distant future, we will see a relaxation of the stocking rates within certain areas. We want to encourage farmers to increase stocking rates to try to support the active farmer concept, and perhaps link this to some payments.

The Deputy's second question may touch upon the Estimates process and the expenditure review. I have tried to be as up-front with farmers as I can be in this regard. My Department is being asked to make significant savings next year and will have to do so. I will be prioritising the limited amount of money we have to spend for key areas, including supporting the strategy in Food Harvest 2020 and supporting farmers so as to keep them on the land in the first place. Many farm families could not stay farming if they did not have a certain amount of subsidy and support. The two key areas, therefore, concern increased productivity and efficiency, as referred to in the Food Harvest 2020 document, and the type of farmer who needs the financial support of the State and European Union. Even in the midst of making significant cutbacks and savings, we will be trying to support as best we can the agribusiness sector and rural communities that rely on farming.

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