Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to say a few things about the Bill. I was at a protest in Roscommon mart yesterday about the viability of the sheep industry. From speaking to farmers, I am aware that there is a palpable fear that the new legislation will add to the cost of running a farm.

It has been pointed out that existing practice has proven to be good. There is an element of trust between farmers to make sure that livestock get the proper amount of medicine, that is, not too much and not too little. There is no evidence to suggest otherwise anywhere. While the EU has introduced legislation at European level, it is important we examine how we deal with it in our country.

Farm and mart stores are concerned they will lose vital business which keeps them afloat because marts on their own are a very precarious business. Marts have become involved in the business of farm supplies and medicines, administered by people working in them who are qualified to do so.

The idea that all medicines will have to be prescribed is one thing, but the fact that vets will set up shops in which to sell medicines is a source of concern. For example, there will be no rural presence for these medicines. People will have to drive to the nearest town or wherever their vet is. When we give over the right to prescribe, administer and sell particular products, we will find there will be an increase in costs. We will also find that the business of marts and mart and farm supply stores will be decimated.

While there is a need to introduce legislation, it is time to look at this issue in light of the good practice in this country. There is nothing wrong that needs to be put right, bar an EU regulation that needs to be imposed. In doing that, we should tailor the Bill to suit Irish farmers and the way they do their business. We should also make sure they are not going to incur increased costs. We should not realise in five years' time that we are tied up in more bureaucracy and online systems that farmers find it hard to cope with.

At the protest at the mart in Roscommon yesterday one of the things I found striking was the age profile of farmers. There are not too many young farmers. The technology required to record fertilisers and keep account of everything is increasing the digital burden on farmers who do not have the training to do this work. There are farmers who are of an age whereby they are not computer literate and will never be, despite all of the good intentions of people.

Online systems are great in theory. They come from a belief that that is where we are going. However, while we are transitioning to a more digital age we need to make sure that farmers are not caught up in systems they cannot deal with. One good example of this is ANC applications, where farmers have been disqualified from getting any money on the basis they did not click one button. Farmers are fearful that the online system is unforgiving and if they do something wrong there is no recourse to put it right. They are then excluded or penalised. That is what is most concerning for farmers.

Those with small family farms are concerned that they are now in a situation whereby costs are increasing and things are constantly changing. An EPA report released last weekend more or less ruled us out of producing food, apart from a very small amount, and instead advocated flooding our lands and reducing our stocks. It was not helpful that such an unsolicited report would be released and create more fear for farmers, in particular young farmers. I hope the Minister will clearly dismiss the report and put it in the bin because it is not what farmers have signed up to.

Farmers are the custodians of the land and environment. They want to get involved and do things right, but when such reports are released they become fearful. The fact something new is coming in the Bill has created another fear for farmers. It is important that whatever happens here is done in the interests of farmers, the quality of our food products and the viability of our farms.

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