Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

In light of all that has been said about Food Harvest 2020 and food security within the EU, it beggars belief that it is even contemplating discussions in that regard in the Mercosur negotiations. I am delighted to hear the Minister's strong and unequivocal response to it. It is vital that every sector of Irish agriculture conveys the message to the European Commission that we cannot, under any circumstances, even issue one paragraph of discussion about it, because it will be of huge consequence. The Minister is to attend the Council of Ministers meeting tomorrow. Is it a priority issue on the agenda or is it an issue for later? I urge the Minister to convey the concerns of Irish agriculture as he has outlined them because this is destabilising for people in the sector. We are trying to encourage people into the beef industry and to reach the targets in Food Harvest 2020 and it is destabilising for them that there is another round of negotiations countenanced by the European Commission in these trade talks.

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