February 2011

Dear

The upcoming election will prove a defining moment in our history. The economy

is on the brink of collapse, the country on the brink of despair. As so often in the

past, agriculture is a beacon of hope at this time. Farmers have continued to

produce world class milk, beef, lamb, grain, fruit and vegetables, pork, and

poultry. It is being sold across the world, with €12bn generated in food and drink

exports last year, providing a lifeline to the economy.

As an active farmer, who milks in the morning before facing into the work of a

TD, I am hugely positive about the prospects for farming. The ‘Food Harvest

2020’ plan stands as one of the outgoing Government’s few achievements of

merit, and I fully endorse the targets of a 50% volume increase in milk, and a 50%

value output in dairying. Upcoming reform of the CAP will have a huge impact

on our production and incomes, and Fine Gael, as member of the EPP, by far the

largest group in the EU, will be well placed to strongly negotiate a good outcome

for Ireland.

Fair Trade Bill

Suppliers are being squeezed unfairly for profit by large and powerful retailers.

As a result, producers are receiving low prices for their produce. But Irish

consumers are also paying the second highest prices in Europe. Removing unfair

practices to competition will lower food prices for consumers and will give

producers a fairer price for their produce. We will enact a Fair Trade Act, which

will ban a number of unfair trading practices in the retail sector such as ‘hello money’ which producers have to pay to get their goods on supermarket shelves.

Dairy

It is vital that the new Government negotiate a ‘soft landing’ for milk quotas. The

ending of quotas in 2015 is now inevitable, but Ireland, so disadvantaged by the

quota regime’s introduction in 1984, must not be penalised in its end days. A

superlevy should only be imposed if the overall EU quota is exceeded. If other

countries do not fill their quotas when markets are tight, Ireland must be allowed

pick up the slack. There is a need to increase processing capacity and efficiency to

cope with increased production. This is a nationally important strategic need, and

Government must be involved in its delivery.

Beef Farmers must consistently receive a fair price from the processor/retail cartel that

exists. Strong legislation, at EU and national level, to ensure price transparency

and the integrity of the food chain at all levels is required. Live exports must be

protected from excessive regulation, and Bord Bia must be strongly supported in

marketing our meat worldwide.

Sheep

Before the 2007 general election, I was on South East radio with Sean Connick

discussing farming issues. A package of sheep measures had been announced that

day by Mary Coughlan. The grant scheme has just opened, three and a half years

later, and the first payment from the Health Check funds freed up in 2008 took

place last week. In the meantime, ewe numbers have halved in Wexford in just

five years. In Government, Fine Gael will talk less, and deliver more to the sheep

sector, which has the capacity to grow back to its former strength.

Tillage

Volatility is a huge issue in all sectors, but especially grain. Teagasc last week

predicted a possible price range of €130- 230 tonne for wheat this harvest. I want

to see an end to short selling of grain, to prevent trader speculation destabilizing

markets and farmers incomes. I fully support current efforts to investigate the

possible resumption of beet processing. I was in Brussels in July 2005

representing Wexford beet growers in our efforts to prevent the destruction of the

sector. I will work with anyone who wants to restore viable beet processing, for

bioethanol, sugar, bioplastics, or any product that returns an income to tillage

farmers.

Forestry

The forestry sector has potential, as timber is one of the many resources in short

supply at present. I support the current levels of funding for new plantings, but I

am also calling for sufficient funding for thinning and for roadways. It’s no good

planting if we ignore this crucial stage, both for some revenue for the grower, and

for the long term health and value of the wood.

I want to see a vigorous debate among all of us who care deeply about farming in

this election campaign. I would welcome any views you might have on these or

any other issues. My commitment to farming runs deep, and besides, like most

farmers, I love to talk farming!

Regards

_______________________

Michael D’Arcy T.D.