Deputy invited to look at Green farm policies

DEPUTY Billy Kelleher has such a wild imagination that fiction can be passed off as fact in his mind. How else can he claim Fianna Fáil best represents farmers’ interests?

Fianna Fáil has been a disaster for agriculture, and today more farmers are leaving the land than ever.

Does Fianna Fáil really believe that low farm gate prices, allowing importation of GMOs, the closure of Carlow sugar factory and closed abattoirs up and down the country are the best this Government can do for farmers?

The Greens are working closely with many farmers to develop viable enterprises through growing and processing energy crops, establishing local marketing strategies to develop local economies, all the time adding value to produce for local and export market.

The Greens want to make CAP work for farmers to ensure viability. We recognise the need for live exports where no alternative exists.

I was delighted to be at the recent Ploughing Championships with deputy leader Cllr Mary White and many farmer friends in the Green party hospitality tent. Next time I invite Mr Kelleher to pay us a visit there. This will give him the opportunity to discuss the Green party's innovative ideas for agriculture. Meanwhile, he should read our agriculture policy for himself he can find it on our website www.greenparty.ie.

Trevor Sargent TD

Leader

Green Party

Dáil Eireann

Dublin 2