Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to raise an issue relating to agriculture and weather. I have raised it before in connection with different aspects of the farming calendar. I refer to farmers being constrained in their activities by calendar dates. The last issue of this kind that I raised concerned an extension of the date for slurry-spreading because of inclement weather. Today, I want to raise the issue of winter crops. Twice the average rainfall fell in August and September. Much ground has been ploughed, but it has not been possible to sow the crops meant to go into those fields because the earth is completely saturated. This situation has major implications in the context of the nitrates directive, which states there has to be green cover on fields within six weeks of ploughing. That will not be possible in many cases because the crops it was intended to sow will not have been established before the onset of winter. Even if they were to survive, there will be a potential yield loss.

It is time for the Leader to ask the Minister to come to the House in order that we can have a debate on this issue and to ensure that we do not have to stand up here, year in and year out, seeking extensions and derogations. We should discuss who sets the calendar dates, why they are set as they are and how can we get around the fact that they are nonsensical. We farm in this country within the constraints of the climate and that does not observe a date on a calendar. It is a debate we must have or I will be back, if I am still here, or else someone else will be, looking for the same extensions. The current system is not working and we need a debate on the issue.