Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I dropped into my local mart in mid-Tipperary where I met farmers, a number of whom asked me directly how interested the new Taoiseach was in agricultural matters and how aware he was of the problems in agriculture. I assured them that the Taoiseach has a clear understanding of the significance and importance of agriculture and food to the economy, the value of our exports and the importance of these exports to sustaining and maintaining jobs. I informed them that I would have an opportunity to put their questions directly to the Taoiseach today. Conscious that the British Government has stated the United Kingdom will leave the Single Market and customs union and given that Brexit is the most significant threat facing our critically important farming and food sector, they wanted to know what the Government is doing to keep these issues at the top of the European Union's Brexit agenda in order that we can maintain access to the UK market and retain the value of that market? Farmers would also like to know what the Government is doing to ensure the budget for the Common Agriculture Policy increases following the UK's departure from the EU. Such an increase will be necessary to improve farm incomes and deliver a strong, sustainable and competitive agriculture for the benefit of farmers and consumers.

On the proposed aid scheme to support tillage farmers who incurred significant weather related losses in the 2016 harvest, will the Government commit to providing for the maximum of €15,000 permitted under the European Union's state aid rules?

The Irish Farmers' Association in Tipperary has highlighted the anomalies, unfairness and, in some cases, injustice in the farm inspection regime. These inspections have led to punitive penalties causing considerable stress and financial loss to many farmers. What measures will the Government take to remove the unacceptable strain on farm families associated with these inspections? Will the Government introduce an appeals process independent of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and with an independent chairman?

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