Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

According to Ireland’s Rural Development Program 2014-2021, less than 7% of Irish farmers are under the age of 35, which is of concern for farmers and their families and something we need to review seriously. In the past year, farmers have worked extremely hard, but they have watched their income fall. Some have suffered mental health issues. There is a real threat to supply of machinery and parts and the knock-on effect will be felt by all of us.

Beef quotes are being slashed each week, with some factories having cut back to a three-day week. In some cases, workers are being flown in because it is an essential service and this in the middle of a pandemic. Can the Minister confirm that proper public health protocols are in place with workers coming from other jurisdictions? As Covid-19 does not know an essential worker from a holiday maker, what steps are being taken to protect public health when permitting essential workers to arrive here? Do they need to have had a negative test? Do they have to quarantine?

I frequently hear from farmers that we need a food ombudsman. I understand that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, cannot regulate the entire beef sector. Farmers want a fair price for their product. In his speech, the Minister said that the Department is considering having a food ombudsman. What powers would such a person have? What is the timescale? We need to get this right as this is something the farmers have been calling for. There is unfair competition and below-cost pricing. I am not satisfied that consumers know what they are buying sometimes because the labelling is not always clear. Once again, the farmers are the losers. Farmers just want everyone to be held to account. One farmer said to me this week they will take all the rules and the measures if the regulations are enforced properly. They would like to see that across the board especially in the export of live animals.

Irish farmers operate to the highest animal welfare standards in the world when exporting, but there is a threat that live exports will be banned. Exporting livestock is vital in ensuring price competition in the marketplace. What will the Government do to protect Irish farmers?

I welcome the new two-day online specialised "clear customs" course for those directly involved in the agriculture import and export sector, created in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. However, much more needs to be done. Only 56 businesses in Kilkenny and 50 in Carlow have taken up the support so far, which suggests that not enough people, farmers included, know about this support.

The Minister spoke about point-to-point racing. I have spoken to him and to Deputy Cahill about it. This is a significant issue in my area. We also need answers on the fair deal for farmers. I ask the Minister to write back to me with answers to these questions. It is important for us to look after our farmers who have kept this country going through a recession. Now they are keeping us going through the Covid pandemic. It is hard for everyone.

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