Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the introduction of this Bill. For too long, our farmers have had to navigate a marketplace that is not designed with their needs in mind, while at the same time having to comply with measures that are outdated and schemes designed and rolled out by the Department in a manner that can, at best, be described as inefficient.

Farmers are workers too. They are involved in one of the most important sectors in this country, yet they find themselves in a situation which calls for Bills such as this to be introduced. This is evident from July's Teagasc national farm survey, which showed that despite a continued increase in the cost of living, farm incomes continued to fall. Clearly, their circumstances were not being adequately addressed and that continues. Most recently, we have been approached about the unreliability of schemes, an increase in production costs and the price volatility that is leading many farmers to leave the sector. Deputies Carthy and Kerrane worked extensively with me to ensure farmers had more representation on the Agri-Food Regulator. Thankfully, this was accepted. Our amendments to ensure that the regulator would have the authority to seek all of the information from businesses that it needs to carry out its role effectively and recognise the full breadth of the agri-food supply chain, from producer right through to the consumer, were also accepted. This went some way towards making the remit of the regulator relevant for farmers, yet the Minister refused to accept our amendment to give the regulator real powers to investigate anti-competitive practices.

Various factors contribute to farmers not getting a fair price. We have always been proponents of fair play for farmers, and that includes fair pricing. We have to acknowledge that while input costs for farmers continue to rise, this does not take into account pricing when it is time for animals to be slaughtered.

This is obvious when we see the end product selling for as much as €30 per kg, yet farmers might only receive between €4 and €5.36 per kg on average when they sell to processors.

The Minister will say there are schemes to assist farmers along the way, and I acknowledge that. However, it is also true to say that these schemes, whether they are departmental or EU schemes, can be unreliable. The Government, us in opposition, rural communities and the entire economy depend on the reliability of our farmers, however. It cannot just work one way. I welcome the introduction of the Bill.

I also point out that there are obligations put on our farmers that do not make sense and can hold them back. In 2021, I took issue with the 30-month rule. Introduced in response to the BSE crisis, it remains in place despite widespread understanding that it is outdated.

Farmers need proper input into how their livelihoods and the well-being of our rural communities can be sustained. The establishment of a commission on the future of family farming is one way towards this. We in Sinn Féin are committed to that in order that a voice is given to farming families and they can bring forward proposals aimed at sustaining their farms into the future.

A matter not related to food prices but affecting rural Ireland is the insufficient ash dieback scheme. Its one-size-fits-all style is not workable for many. Foresters feel let down and their decades of work are being undermined by the Department on an ongoing basis. I appeal to the Minister to consider this going forward and to fix what is a broken RUS scheme. I thank Deputy Tóibín for bringing the Bill forward.

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