Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again raise the issue of beef farmers in my Limerick constituency with the Minister. It is fair to say that this issue has been dragging on far too long. The talks, which the Minister convened belatedly, have yielded some result but it is important we realise that this is only the beginning of the process of sorting out the issue for beef farmers.

There is no other business - farming is a business - where the primary producer would be expected to operate at a loss. It simply would not happen. The most basic rule in economics is that one has turnover for vanity and profit for sanity. If a farmer cannot make profit, he or she will not make income to exist. In my constituency, when farmers are making money, they will invest it in their farm enterprises and in their local economy.

I ask the Minister, in conjunction with all of us, to ensure the task force that has been established will follow through, that the base price issue will be addressed, that the other issues, including the 30-month rule, the four movements and lairage, will be addressed conclusively and properly so that we can tell beef farmers in Limerick and beyond that they will have a future farming in this country. Otherwise, we are in dire straits.

See this speech in context