Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I have little to say in response. The Minister and I are committed to encouraging and paying farmers to farm. The stocking rate will make a difference to the amount of stock that farmers can carry and to the environment itself. That there are few animals in some of the areas to which the Deputy referred has caused problems, for example, forestry and gorse fires. The proposed changes will help. In terms of the CAP proposals, we want to get our way, look after farmers who want to farm and protect those in less advantaged areas.

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