Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. The issue of live exports was raised earlier and I want to come back to it. There are issues regarding calf exports, lairages and so on that we are going to have to discuss, probably in the next few weeks.

What is the Minister's opinion on live exports, particularly to the UK? I am referring to in-calf heifers and breeding animals. These are top-quality beef and dairy animals that are going to the UK market only. They are trying to build up their herd to same genetic standard that we have at the moment. There has been great trade in these animals over the past few years and the new regulations are becoming a major impediment. The Minister might elaborate on what can be done regarding that impediment because in the next six to eight weeks, the majority of this trade, particularly in in-calf Friesian heifers, will take place. He might elaborate on how we can deal with that issue, particularly in the short term.

Another issue I am coming across is delays in imports through ports, particularly parts for agricultural machinery, milking plants and so on. There have been significant delays. The usual turnaround time for a part for a Case tractor or Manitou machinery could be anything from one to three days; now it is seven to ten days at a minimum. That is what the importers are telling us, which is a major issue for the industry. This has not been streamline and a protocol has not been put in place. What needs to be done to make sure that this can be streamlined so parts can be brought into Ireland? The irony is that many of these parts are being transported from Europe to the UK and then to Ireland. This trade issue is having a significant impact on getting those parts on to the island.

The last issue is slightly different. It is about CAP. The Minister might elaborate on the status of the talks. The Brexit deal has been completed. Rightly or wrongly, we are where we are with it. There is going to be a rebalancing in the talks regarding CAP payments over the next two years. The Minister might give an update on the negotiations and the timelines pertaining to that.