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

It requires more consistent policies that reward environmentally sustainable farming. There are policy changes that would make a substantial difference to the sector. We could be growing a lot more feed and food. One of the changes that could be made relates to tillage machinery, which is so expensive. The current investment ceiling of €90,000 in the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, 3 is insufficient to address the cost of specialist equipment in that sector. The scheme could be adjusted upwards. We could perhaps engage with Teagasc to expand the range of eligible investments.

I agree with the Minister that the straw incorporation measure was a very welcome development in the sector, and it has proven successful. Perhaps an increase in the acreage limit for applications by individual farmers would be a really good thing to look into in order to support the sector. Practical changes like that would make a massive difference to farmers who are enduring the high production costs and the variable prices. We also need to look into the issue of land being rented at extreme prices because it is worthwhile for dairy farmers to do that at the moment. If the nitrates are not even being applied to that area of land, it does not do anything to protect the water quality in a particular area, which is the entire purpose of having a limit on the amount of nitrates that can be used. Is there a way to monitor that? If a farmer is allowed to apply X amount of nitrates for X number of acres, does it have to be spread over those particular acres? What is the Department doing in relation to that if the whole purpose of the regulation is to protect our water?

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