Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will ask a few questions before I go back to the witnesses. There is no doubt that there are significant challenges facing the beef sector. There are short-term issues and long-term issues. There are three big challenges in the long term. One is Brexit, which is a serious problem. In the event that things go badly wrong, as we mentioned earlier, the imposition of tariffs would wipe out the beef industry overnight. That is a fact. The second issue is climate change. Regardless of whether we like or agree with it, climate change is a huge issue coming down the line and one which we will have to address.

The other issue, which is also very significant, is CAP reform. This is directly linked to Brexit. When Britain leaves the European Union, there will a hole in the pot of funding which comes to us annually. That will have to be addressed. The Government is committed to doing its bit to address this issue. Some 21 other countries have agreed to row in behind this commitment, but a number of other countries have not yet agreed to do so. There is a body of work to be done in that regard. Unless that happens, we will face serious challenges. Serious issues will have to be addressed when the budget, the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, is being agreed. These will include deciding where to direct funding in order to deal with the biggest issues. There has been much talk about capping, which is a big issue that needs to be addressed. A number of large farmers and organisations receive in excess of €100,000. Some would argue that they should not get that amount or even a lesser figure. That, too, needs to be addressed. Vulnerable areas of the agriculture sector are also an issue. I made the point earlier that it is wrong to pit farmer against farmer. Taking money off one to pay another is a bad road down which to go. We need to be very careful in that regard.

I have some questions for the Beef Plan Movement. What are its priorities in respect of the CAP? Where does it believe funds should be focused in the future? How should it be used to support vulnerable sectors? Taking on board the fact that climate change is going to be an issue whether we like it or not, how can CAP reform address climate change? That is a major issue which needs to be addressed. With regard to the meat industry, there has been much talk about additional markets. Obviously, the more markets we are in the better. It is all about competition and more competition will result in better prices in the long term. What work has been done recently, and what work is in the pipeline, in respect of opening up additional markets and developing existing markets which have not recently been as fruitful as we would like, for example, the Iranian market? Perhaps this market is not as beneficial as some believe. What are the possibilities with regard to other markets, such as the Libyan market?