Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is welcome. I would like to acknowledge the tour of Ireland that he did during the summer and autumn of last year. It was a valuable exercise in meeting stakeholders face to face in various marts. I visited Maam Cross mart with the Minister and also attended a meeting in Athenry a number of weeks later alongside public representatives from Galway East and Galway West. Farmers have real concerns about a number of different challenges, including the new CAP regime that has been put in place, the new situation with regard to entitlements and the changing of that sphere and also issues such as gas prices which have resulted in a dramatic increase in fertiliser prices.

In terms of the objective to reduce the use of fertiliser, price will play a very important part in reducing output this year. The work and research being done by Teagasc on sequestration and the use of clover and multi-species swards is very important. The early finishing research on the Newford herd in Athenry is also hugely important and proves that early finishing is possible. Not every farmer will be able to do it but there are farmers who can, depending on breed type, husbandry and the quality of their land. There is potential in early finishing and it could be a game changer for Ireland in reducing our emissions. There are too many cattle being finished at too late a stage and they are contributing to our carbon and methane output.

The sequestration of carbon is hugely important. A small number of farmers seem to have an aversion to planting trees and that issue came up at the meeting in Athenry. They felt they were too productive but everyone has to play their part in this. They have to be able to show that on their farm, they are contributing to helping the overall situation in the country. I commend the Department's plans and hope stakeholders will be able to work with the Minister and Department to improve the final outcome.