Family farms around Ireland should be protected by the State or given over to be built on if they are not being used, a Sinn Féin TD has said.
The party has introduced legislation to establish a Commission on the Future of the Family Farm.
It says the approach would bring stakeholders and experts together tasked with bringing forward proposals aimed at allowing farms to survive and thrive over the rest of this century and beyond.
TD for Roscommon-Galway Claire Kerrane told Newstalk Breakfast there are several elements to the legislation.
"In the first instance it sends a signal to our farmers...that the family farm should be protected," she said.
"For me there's a number of elements all surrounding securing the future of the family farm.
"That means succession, it means recognising the role of women - which is very much not recognised in agriculture despite the role they play - it means looking at more young people."
A farmer working on a tractor, 6-9-16. Image: SPK / AlamyDeputy Kerrane said a commission could also examine diversification into areas like organic foods and climate action.
"The main message here is we have our oldest and largest indigenous exporting sector; it is worth billions and it is something that I believe is worth protecting," she said.
"I think rather than sitting back and dealing with crises and issues as they come, or not dealing with others, I think it's very sensible that you would plan and respond."
'Respond to challenges'
Deputy Kerrane acknowledged the role the State can play is limited.
"Macra [na Feirme] have done an awful lot of work in relation to succession and what others have said when it comes to succession is looking at, for example, a time-limited retirement scheme that was in place previously," he said.
"There isn't a role for the State in every element of this but what's important here is we plan and respond to the challenges that farmers are facing.
"I've been really taken aback at all of the organisations and meetings I've been to where income and money isn't the top issue.
"The top issue is, 'My son or daughter is gone to Australia' or 'My son isn't very interested and I had planned and I don't know what I'm going to do'".
'We need land'
Deputy Kerrane said plans need to be looked at what can be done with land which is not being passed on.
"Succession is a major challenge but rather than just leave it there and say, 'We'll see what happens', we should plan and say, 'What can we do in terms of succession where there is someone willing to take it on?'
"If there isn't someone willing to take it on, which is happening more and more, then we need to look at how that land is going to be used.
"Are we just going to allow it to sit there [until] the farmer eventually dies and the land just stays there when we need land.
"We need land for building, we need land for forestry," she added.
The legislation has been introduced at first stage in the Dáil.
