John Carty (Fianna Fail)

While Senator Healy Eames says "hear, hear", destocking had to take place. At the time it had to be severe, but it should have been reviewed. Within another couple of years, grants will be given to hill sheep farmers to get back into hill sheep from an environmental point of view rather than from an agricultural point of view. Vegetation is occurring at a high rate, so there is a problem with its control on some of the hills. If the hill sheep farmer is gone, huge compensation will have to be provided to bring back that balance. No stock other than sheep can control vegetation on the hills. During the destocking programme, environmentalists wanted to save rare grasses and other vegetation. They will not now be saved, because other progressive grasses will kill those that we want to save and we will be at a disadvantage again.

I congratulate the Minister on what he has done so far. We are coming through a tough time, but it is very important that he pointed out that Ireland is a major food producing and exporting country. I mentioned last week in my speech that food and drink exports last year were worth approximately €8.6 billion. That is a hugely significant figure, at about 9% of our total exports. At the moment, 80% to 85% of our agricultural produce must be exported.

The Minister also pointed out that global demand for meat and milk is projected to more than double over the next 40 years. We have a unique opportunity now to play to our strengths. It is very important that we manage our farming so that our milk and meat are the envy of the rest of the world. We are able to produce it in an environmentally friendly way because we have a grass-based agricultural economy. We must ensure our farming community is always made aware of this, as we must play to our strengths. The world population is rising but the food basket is getting smaller as many countries are not producing much in agriculture anymore. We would be able to fill this market provided we maintain a high quality meat and milk product for export.

I wish the Minister well during the important negotiations in the next couple of days, which are vital to Ireland's interests. I know that he and his team will do everything to ensure that we get the best possible deal.