Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill and thank the Rural Independent Group for developing it. The Bill provides greater security and entitlements for farmers in terms of credit and debt proceedings, especially in situations where families are pursued by banks and financial businesses for debt. Crucially, the farm house, which is not only a family home but often a generational and inter-generational home, must be treated separately from farmland in debt situations.

There continues to be a significant imbalance in this country between the banks and vulture funds on one side and ordinary families on the other. This inequity is particularly pronounced when it comes to farms. The law and successive Governments have failed to treat the farmhouse as a family home. Although rectified now, we saw the same situation arise in the development of the fair deal scheme, which included all assets on farms. This situation has left farmers vulnerable to forfeitures and seizures, which harm entire communities. Policies and laws must reflect social realities for the benefit of ordinary people, not for banks and hedge funds.

I also welcome provisions for alternative avenues to be exhausted before a farm can be possessed and sold. It provides breathing space to allow the farmer and his or her representatives to work with the receiver to develop resolutions to the farm's financial issues. This is in the best interest of all parties, as a viable plan could be put in place that would save the farm, while the financial body could receive substantial repayments, which is its primary concern. We need more pragmatic approaches to these and similar circumstances.

The additional protection and reassurance offered by the Bill will benefit families and facilitate greater agricultural activity and economic development in rural areas. With issues around generational renewal, farmers will have more confidence in seeking credit to address seasonal variations and invest in their machinery and equipment. We are all aware the sector is going through a difficult time, from the large increases in fertiliser prices earlier in the year, to the disruption in supply chains. It is important to note, although food prices are rising, this in no way means farmers and producers are making more money. The opposite is often true. A debate on the dire need for a proper food regulator with statutory powers is for another day.

Access to credit is crucial to keep people farming. Families need to be assured that seeking money to fund their livelihoods will not cost them their homes. On this point, I refer to credit unions. I cannot count the number of farmers or rural organisations that mention the importance of credit union loans. I can say confidently that they are keeping many family farms viable. They also offer tailored supports such as the cultivate programme, which provides short- to medium-term loans. I refer to this specific initiative because not only does it help families, it generates insightful data to understand the needs of the sector. It is reported in the first half of this year that 25% of loans was for stocking and working capital, while 24% was for farm buildings. Financial systems must recognise the distinct challenges faced by farmers and food producers, and if not, legislative and policy changes must ensure they do.

Our agricultural sector needs as much stability and certainty as possible. While we cannot control the market and international supply chains, we can provide a legislative and policy context that supports family farms. Irish farmers produce high-quality products, however, increasingly fewer farmers produce a range of products. Consumers want locally produced food, but the cost of operating makes it more difficult for family businesses and small-scale producers. We need a radical policy shift to diversify the range of produce that will help support farmers, especially small family farms, and ensure a more sustainable and secure food system.

Many farmers are forced into dairy just to get by or are being subsumed by large-scale industrialised farms. Sheep farming is becoming increasingly unviable. As wool prices are so low, it is more economical to dump it. This is at a time when we should be insulating buildings with this natural, locally-sourced product. This is just one example in the sector.

Despite the expansion of the organic farming scheme, the lack of measures to support widespread organic farming means it will remain a niche sector. Unless there is a major course correction, the small family farm will be a thing of the past in a generation. The Bill provides the type of security and assurance farmers and rural Ireland need. I am working on a Bill to address food producers' vulnerability to food processers and larger retailers. We need to ensure the people who make our food can make a decent living, while also ensuring food is affordable and improving food security. All of these things are possible, it would just require the reigning in of the big players.

I hope the Government will facilitate the progress of the Bill, which is more important than ever. It will help support family farms and protect rural communities, and it needs to be advanced as quickly as possible.

See this speech in context