Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for being with us. I am delighted to support the motion. It is incredibly important. Now, more than ever, we need to realise the importance of agriculture and farming to our economy. Last week, I attended a meeting of delegates from across Europe on the vision for food strategy. While we all came from different countries and farming backgrounds, the common theme seemed to be that of food security and the future of our food security. We need to bear in mind that one of the founding aims of the European Union was food security. It is vital we prioritise that.

Another main challenge that seems to be faced by every European country is generational renewal. I welcome the publication the week before last of the generational renewal report and the recommendations therein and the commitment of the Minister to them, but it is vital that we put this into action as soon as possible. Across Europe, the average age of a farmer is 57 and in Ireland it is 59. Across Europe, the average number of farmers under 40 is 12% and in Ireland it is 8.5%. This is something we have to get a hold on. I come from a beef and dairy farming background. In order to become a farmer and work in farming, in particular for those with dairy and working full-time, one has to have a love of the land. It is not like a normal job where people can take time off. People who are milking cows for nine months a year have to be on the farm in the morning and evening.

Some of the biggest barriers I see facing young farmers are access to finance, access to land for those who do not come from a farming background, and security in terms of what they are meant to do.It is not too long ago that we were telling farmers to expand. Now we are telling them the opposite and are seeing a reduction in our herd numbers. Coming from Cork, it would be remiss of me not to mention the nitrates derogation and how important it is that it is retained at the current rate of 220 kg per hectare. We are the only European country that still has a derogation but there is a good reason for that. Our animals are also fed on grass. Our product is different from that of many other European countries. It is interesting to note that our colleagues in the Netherlands are now looking at restoring their derogation. We cannot lose this or see a reduction in it. Earlier, a meeting of the Oireachtas agriculture committee heard about the pressure on the tillage sector. Reducing our derogation would put even more pressure on land and on farmers.

I particularly commend the work being done by the agricultural catchment group in Timoleague. It has been carrying out water testing since 2010. This year has seen the lowest rate of nitrates in the water so far. Farmers in the area still enjoy the 250 kg rate of derogation. On 1 December, the derogation for the majority of that area will decrease to 220 kg. We cannot do that when the area is performing so well. If the derogation is reduced and nitrates stay at that level, the argument will be made that the reduction was the cause but that is not the case. Farmers have a role to play in water quality. They want to play that role but it is really important that we hold local authorities, Uisce Éireann and other contributors to account for problems with our water quality. It is not just the fault of farmers. Farmers have a responsibility, but we cannot put all the blame for water quality on them.