Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I welcome the Minister and appreciate his comments. I go along with the points Senator Carty made. Since I became a Member of the House 23 years ago, time and again I have praised the work of various Ministers and a number of our Commissioners who fought hard to defend Irish agriculture. I hold the Irish Farmers' Association in great regard but I regularly say it should show more appreciation for the work that has been done. I mention also Ivan Yates who did trojan work. We have been well served by the Minister and his predecessors.

Europe has found a better direction in recent times. We must say to the farmers of Ireland that there is a growing market for food in the world and, therefore, the prospects, if properly handled, directed and regulated, are optimistic. However, it is hard to convince farmers of that because they have not got a very good deal in recent years. There is a slight improvement this year, which is good to see.

One of the great problems with the Common Agricultural Policy was that it turned on its head centuries old activities, directions and objectives of agriculture. For the first time, we started to pay people not to produce and to compensate people to do the reverse of what they learned over many years. That was the time we started to develop wine lakes and butter mountains and to have excess beef etc. At least we have moved away from that, which is very important.

There are issues we must address in that regard. The Minister spoke about the importance of agriculture as part of the infrastructure of this country not only in terms of jobs but of community. The further west one goes from the east coast, the more we see that. Not only do we have a huge economic investment in, and commitment to, agriculture but there is a community issue there, which is hugely important.

What we are discussing is crucial in terms of rural development. The money which goes to farmers is the life blood of much of rural Ireland and that is why we need to address it from that point of view. I completely support the views of the IFA in terms of focusing on sustainable agriculture, sustainable farms and on attractive lifestyles in order that young farmers and new farmers are attracted to and remain in the industry. That is hugely important.

I refer to the question of sustainable food. Our interests have been very well represented in Brussels and elsewhere but we are missing out on practical things. When in other countries, I walk through markets and look at what is happening in their agriculture industries and at how their farms operate. Our best support has always been from France. Anybody who has ever travelled through France will know what a vast agricultural country it is with its dairy-related industry in the north, a huge cereal growing area in the middle and a wine industry in the south. When I walk into a market in France, I wonder whether it is in Europe. I see shiny and beautiful vegetables on display in French supermarkets, farm markets and street markets which would not be allowed in the door of the Dublin market because they would not fit through the sorter. This happens all the time. We are shooting ourselves in the foot. The French take the correct approach. When French people buy vegetables they do not necessarily seek out seven tomatoes of the same size and shape. They know what they are looking for and instinctively buy what looks good and healthy, which we do not do.

I told the Minister of State with responsibility for food that if nothing else was done in agriculture during this term, the single most important change would be the repeal of the Abattoirs Act.