Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The climate action Bill will be highly destructive to every facet of the Irish economy, including the agrifood sector, which alone employs 164,400 people. This Bill aims to cut carbon emissions by 51% by 2030 and meet net zero emissions by 2050 but makes no exception for agrifood. Am I correct in saying that? Also, as a result of this, the national cattle herd faces a 51% cut by 2030. That is our concern. According to independent research, that will mean culling 3.4 million cattle. Am I correct in saying that? It appears Europe will agree the Mercosur trade deal, which will allow 99,000 tonnes of beef per year to come into the EU from countries such as Brazil. New research by Oxford University highlights this would be more environmentally destructive than home-grown beef, thus underlining the stupidity of this carbon bill in the first instance. I would appreciate if the witnesses could answer those questions.