James Bannon (Fine Gael)

When the Bill was first presented there was a great deal of public disquiet in the agricultural community. Farmers claimed that when they seek licences, a great deal of information is sought about their activities, the quantity and quality of farm land they possess, etc. They believed that their freedom to farm their land was threatened and undermined by the amount of red tape, etc., involved in getting an enterprise off the ground. Macra na Feirme and young farmer organisations have expressed this opinion forcibly. There is a disincentive for young farmers to take over the family farm and develop another enterprise. Those involved feel that the amount of red tape is pushing them off their farms.