Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

We need to look after both. The big guy will deliver the targets we are setting for ourselves in providing the volumes of milk we need for infant formula, cheese, yoghurts, liquid milk and other products and that is just in the dairy sector. Small farmers are also important. They are the backbone of rural Ireland and, in many cases, they provide quality beef to factories because they deal with suckler herds. It is my job, therefore, to ensure small farmers can stay in business and large farmers, who have the capacity to expand and deliver growth, are encouraged to do so. It is about trying to do both.

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