John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

This matter concerns the deer production sector of the agricultural industry. There is concern among deer producers that they are a forgotten group. It is fair to say that during the late 1980s and early 1990s considerable emphasis was put on diversification and on farmers moving from traditional farming into areas such as deer production and other alternative farming practices. Grants were available to deer farmers for fencing and handling facilities, and a considerable number of farmers got involved in deer production. With the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy these farmers feel they are unrepresented and that their voice is not being heard. I appeal to the Minister, given that under the CAP reform proposals a certain percentage will be creamed off the top, particularly in the area of modulation, to ensure that some of that money is directed towards ensuring not just the survival of the deer industry but its growth and improvement. Deer meat has many advantages as a food source and we should be promoting it more than we seem to be doing at present.

The main point that deer producers make is that they were encouraged by the Government in the late 1980s and early 1990s to change their method of farming and then lost their entitlements. Under the CAP reform and the Fischler proposals they have no or considerably reduced entitlements because they have not been involved in the farming practices that gained those entitlements during the reference years. As a result they are disadvantaged. They feel they are being neglected. I agree with them. I hope the Government will use the money available under modulation to ensure this sector continues to prosper.