Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister knows, there is tremendous concern among the farming community and beef farmers in particular as to the impact of the Mercosur deal on the beef sector, as well as what has been offered already as part of the negotiations. It is quite clear an offer of 70,000 tonnes has been made by the European side to the four South American countries in Mercosur. The EU's impact assessment indicates that to have a significant amount of beef of that nature coming into the EU could lead to up to a 16% drop in the EU beef price. This is particularly if this relates to prime cuts of beef. I am sure the Minister has a read on that. Will the Minister update us on the offer of 70,000 tonnes? Does it relate primarily to prime cuts? The 70,000 tonnes would represent approximately 1% of the overall EU beef market but if it was 70,000 tonnes of prime cuts, it would represent 10% of the total EU prime cut market. Those are the most expensive and highest value cuts of beef so there would be a significant impact on the profitability of beef farming as a result. Has the Minister any feedback in that respect? What is the Department's assessment of the impact this would have on Irish agriculture if the deal proceeded?

See this speech in context