Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the latter point, the pace of scientific advance is quite staggering in that area. One of the great strengths of our offering on the international stage is the natural product that we produce in a sustainable way in a grass-based production system. While we must be cognisant of all consumer trends and scientific advances, I do not think we should in any way dilute the merit of the offering we have. It is a ferociously competitive market out there.

In the context of Deputy Ryan’s other question on the PGI status, there is ongoing engagement between my Department and the Commission on having PGI approval for the grass-based, suckler offering we make in the beef sector. We are trying to progress that as quickly as possible at a European Union level to give us a niche branded offering, because we must move away from the bargain-basement commodity in terms of beef production. That is what everything we have been doing for many years has been driven by in terms of producing beef to a higher specification and, as the Deputy said, not disrespecting the consumer but responding to consumer trends. Looking for a grass-based, natural, Origin Green product is a critical part of our offering. That is based on the feedback and analysis that has been done by Bord Bia, which does a tremendous, professional job. It is highly regrettable that Bord Bia has been targeted in a most unfair way for abuse and criticism, in particular today at the ploughing championships. Bord Bia does a tremendous job all over the world promoting and working with Irish farmers and the processing sector to advance the best interests of all of us.

In terms of a land-use plan, I am not in favour of a prescriptive approach that says there should be trees in the west, dairy production in the Golden Vale and tillage in the south east. Every area has an obligation to carry its share of the responsibility in terms of efficient production and maximum sequestration. I do not think it is fair to ask something of a particular sector of society or to say to a geographic area of the country that this is the only place for trees. That has bedevilled the afforestation programme-----

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