Seanad debates
Wednesday, 2 July 2003
Common Agricultural Policy: Statements.
I started farming before we joined the Common Market and I can remember how difficult it was. At that age it did not matter a damn to me. At the age of 21, one does not mind. One is prepared to work night and day and do everything that is required. That is one of the huge deficiencies in what has been preached over the years, and the Minister has referred to it. If young people, when they get up every morning, are fed on a diet of how terrible things are, is it any wonder that they walk away from the industry? Can anybody be surprised about it? I made that same point in the Minister of State's constituency, at the Forum for Europe in Loughrea, when a young man at the front of the audience stood up, after hearing all the prophets of doom, and said he was very glad to hear what I had to say as he had not heard that before. He wanted to start farming and had the capacity and enthusiasm to do it. For goodness' sake, let us encourage these young people to ensure the industry progresses in a vigorous and optimistic way.
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