James Bannon (Fine Gael)

Farmyard manure is used on farmland as a fertiliser. It is not a waste recovery activity. It is important that farmers can use it in the traditional manner. Nowadays there is not that much of it coming from the calf shed. We are all used to spreading it on land. There is a fear, however, among the farming community that this practice may be discontinued. Perhaps the Minister will clarify this. Fertilisation and intensive farming have been reduced somewhat with CAP reform changes and targets, etc. There is an element built into the REPS to reduce intensive farming.

The recent Fischler proposals involve lower inputs and the use of less energy in farming. Perhaps the Minister will respond to this because there is a genuine fear—