Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also support the motion on the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal and I urge the Government to reject that deal. This proposal will affect Ireland much more than any other European country in the same way a hard Brexit will affect Ireland much more than any other European country. The effects of the Mercosur deal may fade into insignificance if we have a hard Brexit as by the time it comes along, it may not make a lot of difference because there will not be many beef farmers left. In my constituency, particularly west Clare, suckler farming is the mainstay of farming income. If that is destroyed by a hard Brexit, the Mercosur deal will not make much difference.

Another issue being faced by west Clare farmers and others around the country is the price that they get from meat factories. There is a major problem as the retail price in supermarkets for meat is several times what the farmer receives for producing that beef. The middle men are making more money than the producers. These are two important issues for the beef industry. We have fair trade in this country for coffee and fruit and vegetables but there is not fair trade in the production of beef. We need beef that is traceable, of good quality and in which we can have confidence. Mercosur is destroying the indigenous populations in South America, where rainforest is being cut down, and this is very serious. The environmental damage that this causes is also something that should be taken into account by this Government and Europe.

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