Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Comhghairdeas, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. We all wish to see an environment of co-operation fostered between the Department of agriculture and farmers in order that farmers would feel that they, as the primary producers, were viewed by the Department as its primary stakeholder. All too often, however, the relationship is antagonistic. Part of the reason for this is that the Department is all-too-quick to impose fines on farmers and claw back a few pounds already paid, such as in the case of the BEAM scheme with which the Minister, Deputy Heydon, is familiar.

Government can seem to have mixed feelings regarding its own failings. This is especially the case regarding biodiversity, disease and disease eradication measures whereby all too often the Government has refused to take responsibility for those failings and has thrown good money after bad in support of failed strategy. The one area where it drags its heels is in supporting farmers impacted by events entirely outside their control. I have yet to hear of any accountability regarding ash dieback or how these diseases will be prevented from wreaking similar havoc on our native tree species. Delays in supporting foresters removing affected trees were beyond excusable. Rural people will have to pay the price as many of those rotten trees came down during Storm Éowyn.

Farmers have participated in forums, have paid levies and have contributed millions through their own labour to the State's TB eradication programme despite the EU pulling funds due to the lack of results. Why would it not do so when last year saw the number of reactors increase by a staggering 41%, with the overall incidence rate rising by nearly 23%?

I welcome what appears to have been a co-ordinated cross-Border response in issuing a housing order in relation to avian influenza earlier this year. However, many farmers in the Border region and County Monaghan specifically will recall the cull of 2020 and the uncertainty and delays associated with the supports that followed. I appeal to the Minister to ensure our biodiversity, disease prevention and eradication protocols and strategies are working and fit to enhance our agrifood sector. He must ensure he puts the payment of supports for our farmers on at least an equal footing as the vigour with which the Department sometimes takes their payments away.

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