James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the issue. I have listened carefully to the debate. As we all know, the agrifood sector is the largest indigenous industry and makes a critical contribution to our survival during times of austerity. I wish to address two specific aspects: dairy farming and mental health in the farming community.

In recent years, those in the dairy sector were encouraged to invest significantly in their farms. One year has passed since the end of milk quotas and we have seen a decrease in prices, price volatility, a decrease in farm incomes and difficulties with cashflow for farming communities. The viability of the dairy farming sector has been threatened in particular. Farmers are the foundation of our rural communities. Without them, we do not have rural communities. They provide the economic backbone to these communities and their families support the local schools and shops.

Food security goes beyond our rural communities and is also critical to urban areas. Farm security should be of concern to everybody, including those in our cities and other urban areas. As an indigenous industry, returns for taxpayer investment in the farming community are greater than in any other sector because the money invested sources local materials. The money spent is also reinvested in the local community.

The Ornua PPI is showing a modest increase in the price of milk and the latest WASDE report is expecting a significant increase in milk production. As a consequence, the future for the dairy sector continues to be uncertain. I ask the Minister to take steps to ensure a fair price for our farmers' products, take measures to address price volatility, ensure food security for our nation, end the practice of late payments which is greatly affecting the cashflow, and ensure the dairy industry carries a fair share of the burden and it is not placed entirely on the farmer.

Farmers are particularly vulnerable to mental health risk factors. Farmers in general are isolated and are becoming increasingly isolated as a result of modern farming techniques and technologies. With a reduction of local services such as post offices in rural communities, the opportunities for farmers to interact in the community are also decreasing. We need to pay particular attention to this issue. When the income uncertainty is added in, there is increased pressure on our farmers. An ICMSA survey found that 50% of all farmers have been directly affected by suicide and 16% have had a direct impact of a suicide within their family. Our farming community is becoming more elderly and they are particularly affected. While I know some work on this has been done, I call on the Minister to work with the Department of Health to introduce additional programmes to address mental health issues in the farming community.

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