Seanad debates

Tuesday, 11 November 2003

Direct Payments Decoupling: Statements.

 

I welcome this as a first step in building a degree of certainty about the future of agriculture. This lays down the parameters and the ground rules but, from a policy perspective, the Oireachtas needs to decide how Irish agriculture should develop and how many people should remain in agriculture. If we set targets, they can be achieved but they will require courageous and often controversial decisions. The alternative is to let the big farmers become bigger and the small farmers disappear. That is already happening and rural Ireland is beginning to pay an enormous social cost for our neglect in that regard. I look forward to a vigorous debate on how to reverse the tide.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.