Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms McPhillips and her colleagues for coming in this evening to help us to consider the report we will produce on the future of the beef sector in the context of the ambitious targets in Food Wise 2025. The plan, which covers only the next six years, is to grow exports to €19 billion. Do the witnesses envisage us achieving the targets considering the very many weaknesses and threats facing the sector?

The real concern for livestock farmers is how they will stay in the sector given the prices they are getting. Farm incomes have dropped by 16% according to a Teagasc report last year. It is of grave concern to farmers in the sector. We have to take on board what they are saying. How is the Department engaging to identify the causes and rectify the problem?

On the climate action plan that the Government is producing, what engagement has there been with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment? This will be an incredibly challenging area. While it is tremendous that we are leaders in this area, because of our efficiency, there is grave concern in terms of EU trade policy on taking in beef from the Mercosur countries. Brazilian beef, for example, is produced by cutting down rainforest. Brazilian production is four times more carbon-intensive than ours. How will we meet that challenge, bearing in mind the impact of Brexit and other factors?

My other question is on live exports. There is a perception that we are not reaching our potential in this regard. We had some interesting discussions here on lairage capacity. In what way is the Department examining this with a view to addressing it?

Reference was made to weaknesses and skills gaps at all levels of the supply chain. How will this be addressed? If we do not have the skills, we cannot continue to have the output.

We are exporting 50% of our beef to the United Kingdom. Brexit will have devastating consequences in this regard. It is the biggest threat facing the sector. What is the Department doing to try to manage that?

My next question is on the global growth in protein demand. Has the Department examined in detail the type of protein being sought in order to identify the potential of plant protein production as another option for farmers? As a butcher's daughter, I am not necessarily recommending that. If, however, there is a market we could be tapping into, why not enter it?

The delegates referred to the failure to adopt carbon efficient practices. I do not believe there is any resistance among farmers. There is no great difficulty. What we are hearing from farmers is that they are very willing and able to adopt carbon efficient practices. How is the Department monitoring the potential of farmers to be even more efficient? Have farmers reached their peak in terms of efficiency?