Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will follow the comments of Senator Ardagh on the farmers' protest. I was out there this morning meeting some farmers, and this follows previous engagements I had with them both at previous protests outside these buildings and at a meat processing plant at Rathdowney in County Laois.On each occasion, a heightened sense of frustration and despair has been highlighted among these farmers. The beef talks that took place after the previous round of meat plant protests have not resulted in a successful outcome for these farmers and they are now back out on the streets. All these farmers and their families want is fair trade and a fair price for their produce. Instead, as Senators are aware, many of them are producing at below cost price and losing money. Smaller farmers will feel this most as they do not have the critical mass to negotiate stronger positions on price. This crisis is affecting beef producers of all types, however.

We expect a lot from our farmers. We expect them to adhere to rules and regulations, engage with policymakers and legislators, reduce emissions, improve biodiversity and achieve other environmental outcomes. However, when they face difficulties such as those we are seeing now, they are left with little or no support, guidance or advice. The agrifood system is broken in this country. From inside the farm gate all the way to the consumer both here and abroad, creating consistent high demand for Irish food while also addressing our environmental commitments should be at the heart of any effective solution for the Irish agriculture sector. The oft repeated narrative or threat that if we do not produce goods, someone else will do so demeans Irish farmers and their produce. If our produce is so easily produced elsewhere, where is the added value in it coming from Ireland? This is a question for Bord Bia but one we should keep in mind.

The continued pursuit of commodity production in a small country such as Ireland does not serve our farmers or environment well. We must also reflect on the social and economic impacts on our farmers. Land abandonment and farm consolidation are happening. Reports suggest that about 1,000 farms go out of business in the EU each day. This is a staggering number. Retaining small-scale family run businesses is a must, particularly for a small country such as Ireland. With all our eggs in one basket of beef and dairy, we are exposed and vulnerable to climate change and the volatility of global markets. At farm level, our dairy farmers are in receipt of some of the lowest milk prices in Europe and our beef is stagnating at a cost price that is lower than the cost of production. In the meantime, our emissions keep rising and our biodiversity, animal welfare and water and air quality are compromised. Where will it end?

A new land use plan is required both to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss and to turn the tide of depressed prices for our farmers. Farmers will rely significantly on a reformed Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, to deliver these transitions on their farms. A business as usual approach with a few cherries on top will not suffice. Food production will always remain central to our agricultural land use but we must at the same time consider other income streams for farmers, including farming for carbon storage and water-----