Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is not easy unless we can get the price structure right, but how long will European consumers and everybody else continue to subsidise, notwithstanding that it is the primary objective of the CAP? There will be protests by yellow vests across the Continent on a different topic because it seems to be the "in thing" now. We must remember that consumers will forget they are getting a cheap healthy product and they will kick up when the cupboard becomes bare in their countries' exchequers. It is a big one. Coming from the county I do, I want to see it not just survive, but thrive. We have to face up to it. While I cannot tell farming organisations what to do, there should be a major event focused specifically on this matter in February or March to see what can be done in a constructive way to ensure the future sustainability of the beef industry. I will certainly support any of the IFA's efforts in that regard.