John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

Young people are simply not entering agriculture. I urge the Minister to take whatever measures she can to encourage more young people into farming.

The farm retirement scheme is not working. People entered the scheme ten years ago but their incomes have been greatly eroded. There needs to be a complete review of the scheme.

Senator Bradford correctly referred to the importance of sugar beet production for the tillage sector. The Department of Agriculture and Food needs to seriously examine the future of tillage farming. Beet was a vital rotation crop but other options may emerge in future, including the production of beet or other crops for biofuels. Earlier today, during the debate on the Finance Bill, the Minister for Finance spoke about his hopes that by 2008 some 2% of all fuels would be biofuels. That figure is entirely realisable but we should aim for something higher in order to provide an alternative for people involved in tillage farming in particular.

Were it not for the situation concerning disease in South America, Irish beef production would be in a serious situation. We are in the happy position in that beef prices are pretty strong at the moment. That will not continue indefinitely into the future, however, so we must ensure we can market our products in the years ahead. We must also corner our niche to ensure that Irish farmers will continue to obtain fair payment for their products.

I agree with Senator Bradford's comments on the farm grant scheme, which is a welcome initiative. I also wish to raise the issue of avian flu. It is not directly related to the motion before the House but I would like to know what measures the Minister's Department has put in place to combat a potential outbreak of avian flu in Ireland. The infection is quite close to Ireland, although it has not spread in the past couple of weeks and there have been fewer outbreaks across Europe. If avian flu came here, however, it would have devastating consequences for certain agricultural sectors. I am anxious to hear the Minister's views on that matter.