Seanad debates

Thursday, 16 December 2021

Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters

Agriculture Industry

10:30 am

Photo of Tim LombardTim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support this Commencement matter, which I have brought with Senator Ahearn. The agricultural industry has never been under so much pressure. There is a Climate Action Plan, a nitrates action programme, CAP reform and inputs of products have gone through the roof. The farming community have never felt so berated.

We are trying to generate a cohort of young people to get involved in farming but a Green Party MEP has lambasted them when speaking about investment. It is a major issue for the industry and this Government. If this MEP had such views on investment, why did he not say people in urban areas should not get motor loans? Instead, he attacked the rural agricultural community, and it makes no sense.

We must ensure our young farmers get involved in agriculture and that they will drive forward our economy and feed the world. We produce enough food in this country for 50 million people. A statement like this from an MEP was totally disrespectful and ill-informed. We must have a statement from the Government this morning indicating it will support young farmers and their views because we have the best young farmers in the world and they are the best-trained young farmers in the world. They do not go to agricultural college any more, they go to university. We have farmers out there with PhDs because that is the standard of our farming community. We need the Government to stand up and back these young trained farmers. We need to dispel the fear that comes from a misinformed MEP who is just trying to play politics with this matter and damage rural Ireland in the process.

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