Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. What we need is a proactive approach. We normally see reaction, so I think we have time here. There certainly needs to be that type of engagement. If we have no certification process for imported wild flower seeds, that needs to be changed. We also need some form of social media campaign because there are so many community and voluntary groups involved in biodiversity, particularly at local county council level, that there should be a campaign that makes them aware of black grass and vigilant in identifying it at the very least. I understand that the Minister of State has had engagement with many of the farm organisations and local farmers, as have I. He will know that this is the last thing we can heap on tillage farmers and that we cannot put our crop produce at risk, particularly given what will happen with the CAP reform, convergence and our new eco schemes, or the proposal for the new eco schemes, and how much damage that will do to the farmers, with possible cuts of up to 40%. I therefore ask the Minister of State not to allow this to fester but to ensure that this is very much taken in hand by the Department.

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