Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

To be fair, I do not think anybody is picking on anybody. In my view we need sustainable farming into the future but it has to be sustainable and changes will have to happen in respect of issues regarding fertiliser, animal feed and how slurry is spread. Many interventions are happening and we can accelerate them. We need more environmental afforestation. Today, we will meet the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, and the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, on this issue and how we can support greater planting of native trees, which would have a beneficial impact on sustainability and on farms, and increase income supports for the farming community to protect biodiversity and enhance sustainability. For agriculture to survive it has to be sustainable and the consumers will be demanding products that are respectful of climate change and sustainability.

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