Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is a host of market opportunities for the beef industry. It is clear that we are in favour of free trade because we export more than 90% of our beef. Otherwise we would be in an awful scenario. However, we must be cognisant of our defensive agreements in that regard and in the context of other competing agreements, especially European free trade agreements, and of Brexit. It looks as if the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP, is dead anyhow with the advent of President-elect Trump. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, with Canada and other world trade options and agreements also must be considered. Mercosur should probably be considered as well. These are all challenges, particularly for the beef sector. I am anxious that these be addressed by the Department.

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