Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will argue with the IFA and say it is wrong when that is the case as I am entitled to do so. I take everything the IFA says seriously, even if I do not agree.

We suggest that payments should levelled over the seven year cycle as this would be easily done. An introductory payment of €200 should be paid as this would encourage farmers to join the genomics scheme for three years, something the Minister hoped to achieve. This would produce more data on the genetic base of the farming herd.

We call for the immediate establishment of an independent beef regulator to investigate, assess and advise on sharp practices in the beef industry and to try to determine who gets what from the animals provided to factories - something the French are doing. We need to learn who is making a profit from this because this information would highlight much of what we seek today. A beef regulator would give ordinary farmers a strong and independent representative in this David and Goliath battle that would stand up for a fair return. Also, Britain has a food ombudsman and Ireland has not provided for this in the new Bill - we need one.

Since I was appointed as the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on agriculture I have argued that two pillars are required to make Irish agriculture strong. First we need the CAP to be fairly distributed, on an objective basis, across the various schemes. Second, the issue of fair prices for farmers must be addressed. I have always advocated this two-pillar policy.

I think it is fair to say that the Minister gives the impression of being the Minister for agri-business but not the Minister for farmers.

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