Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim céad fáilt roimh an gCoimisinéir. Ní fear é a raibh faitíos ná drogall ariamh air teacht ar ais go dtí an Seanad. Tá fáilte roimhe. I welcome the Commissioner and I am glad he is here with us today. I am very interested in what he has to say about his new position and its relevance to Ireland. I congratulate him on his new position and wish him well. We hope the Commissioner will be able to help the many Irish farmers who are struggling to maintain their farms and livelihoods in difficult circumstances. There is a prevailing wisdom, mainly outside the agricultural sector, which suggests that Irish farmers have done well out of the EU, but sometimes it is difficult not to look at what we have also lost due to EU regulation and control. It has not necessarily benefited Irish farming, either in its economic status or through the changes it has wrought in the social fabric of this country.

Every month seems to bring another major issue to the fore in Irish agriculture. The abolition of the milk quotas came about in May. There has been major investment by processors and producers in anticipation of new markets and the end of restrictions on production. Many farmers are already in trouble with the banks as milk prices fall and the effects of the imposition of the superlevy.

We are hoping the Commissioner could try to influence in favour of an arrangement whereby Irish farmers who are in the process of preparing for the end of milk quotas and enlarging their herds are not driven under by a combination of the lack of payment being received in May due to the superlevy being deducted and a drop in prices. A phased payment of the superlevy is one suggestion we are putting forward.

There is also an issue for farmers about land eligibility and the number of farmers who claimed payments in good faith based on the criteria for eligible land. New rules and technology mean that they are being obliged to pay back claims from as far back as 2009. We are calling for an amnesty for these farmers, who claimed in good faith and in circumstances of falling farm incomes, particularly among smaller farmers. They should not have to take another hit.

The Commissioner cannot be unaware of the disquiet among suckler farmers about the beef data genomics scheme. The scheme has such harsh and prolonged terms and conditions that the number of applications to participate fell below targets and some of those who have applied are already considering withdrawing. It is another scheme sanctioned by the European Union and implemented by the Department which seems to be ill-thought out, even if the overall objective of improving the quality of the national herd is laudable. There is such disquiet about it among farmers that it may not achieve its target. I saw the indications in Claremorris at a meeting of 1,400 farmers where these issues were aired.

Another area where the Commissioner could also be influential and beneficial to Ireland relates to the promotion of an all-Ireland food label. It seems ridiculous that on this small island a distinction must be made, due to EU regulations on country-of-origin labelling, on products whose origins are both sides of the Border. This could mean a lamb born in Jonesborough and slaughtered in Carlingford would now be regarded as a product of two member states. Farmers North and South know there is no point in competing against each other on the international market when there is scope for everyone to use our reputation for good clean Irish food, with no distinction being made according to which side of the Border it originates. I appeal to the Commissioner to look favourably on this issue if it crosses his desk, and, even if it does not, to use his influence to bring about an all-Ireland label. It can only benefit farmers on both sides of the Border.

Before I finish, I must mention the hen harrier. The scheme to compensate farmers whose land had a certain designation has been discontinued. There are more than 4,000 of them. These farmers are still waiting on some compensation for not being able to farm their land in the circumstances. It goes without saying that an injustice is being done to them and this should be rectified.

I share the concerns raised around the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the impacts on Irish agriculture, particularly the beef and white meat sectors. The lack of transparency is also an issue. I wish to restate our opposition to the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, which raises issues around fracking on this island. I hope the Commissioner will use his offices to try to ensure that never happens on the island of Ireland.

I cannot finish without saying that I am very concerned about the changes that have taken place in the Leader and rural development areas. Unfortunately, the Commissioner had a hand in this himself when he was a Minister. We are going to have long-standing repercussions in these areas and as a result of the dismantling of the community development sector as well. I wish the Commissioner well. Táim buíoch dó as teacht isteach inniu. Go raibh maith aige.