Seanad debates
Wednesday, 2 July 2003
Common Agricultural Policy: Statements.
The CAP reform proposals also state that more funding for rural development has to be moved in and be of benefit in the rural areas where there will be an advantage for farmers and hopefully an opportunity for alternative employment. We need to look at that aspect. The number of farming bodies has been mentioned earlier and if anyone here was a Minister for Agriculture and Food trying to get the best possible deal for the farmers and one was listening to, for example, the IFA, the ICMSA, the ICSA, ICOS, and the Hill Sheep Farmers, each with a different demand, one would have to wonder why the farming organisations do not now take a step in the right direction and amalgamate, with one overall farming body to look after the interests of the farmers in this small country. They could have sub-committees for young farmers, dairying, sheep, hill farming, or whatever, but under one umbrella group. That has to be done from a farming point of view and as a member of a farming organisation I urge them to do this. When the Minister was on television the morning after the negotiations he was surrounded by farming organisations from Ireland. Farmers in the USA would not have as many farming organisations looking after their interests. I do not know how one can deal with that point.
No comments