Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

In that case, I will mention him by name. The chairman of the group, Councillor Johnny "Porridge" O'Connor, is doing good work. I hope the porridge in question is organic. He is trying to encourage hotels and restaurants in County Kerry to offer an organic menu. That would be an example of added value. People often come to County Kerry for the food. They get great food in Kenmare and good food in the rest of Kerry. My colleague, Senator O'Sullivan, would argue that the food in Listowel is great as well. If such an alternative were offered in restaurants, it would be another incentive to farmers to produce organic food. Restaurant menus should offer reasonably priced organic food, which is of a better quality because it is not subject to certain processes. Animals in the US are treated with hormones, which does not add to the taste of meat but reduces the cost of producing it and cheapens the product itself.

We are suffering at the hands of a frightening bureaucracy. I recently received representations from members of the Fianna Fáil cumann in Glencar, who are concerned about the proposal to tag sheep. It seems that another level of bureaucracy is to be foisted upon farmers. I appreciate that tags will not be needed in the case of lambs under the age of 12 months. However, this measure will not help farm production or help Irish farmers to compete. It will apply across the European Union, although obviously not in Brazil or Argentina. Perhaps the Minister of State will consider the possibility that the Department is too keen to police these rules. As Senator Carty said, no fertilisers or pesticides are used on the mountains of County Kerry, like those in County Donegal and along the rest of the west coast. However, the certification of the Kerry lamb seems to be quite a difficult issue. Perhaps the Minister of State will examine the possibility of allowing this matter to be included in the organic feasibility study. The ultimate aim of such a move would be to allow the farmers of County Kerry to achieve higher values for their products when they sell them to restaurants and hotels. That would be of great benefit to the economy in my part of the country.

Organic farming is just one of this country's food production issues. One of our other problems is the demise of the co-operative movement. Some 80% of the food produced by German farmers is processed through co-ops. The co-op system allows the farmer to control not only the cost of food production, but also the price charged at the point of sale. Farmers dictated the price of milk through the co-ops for many years. We are aware that the price of milk is much the same as it was 20 years ago. That price has been dictated by plc shareholders ever since farmers sold their shares in co-ops to those who formed those companies. As a consequence, farmers are at a loss. I ask the Minister of State to examine the possibility of the Kerry lamb being certified as organic. What criteria need to be met in that respect? I wish those involved in the County Kerry organic feasibility study the best of success.