Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. In addition to the difficulties a reduced CAP budget would present for Irish farmers, we have other issues coming down the line, including Brexit, for instance. We know that the Brexit negotiations are pretty much deadlocked. That will have a huge impact on farming if they are not successful and if there is to be a hard Brexit. Not only would it reduce farmers' incomes but it would also reduce their capacity to move between the North and the South with their farm produce and from east to west in bringing their products to continental Europe with reference to the tariffs that would be imposed on them. Also, Mercosur is a huge threat to Irish farmers in that if the deal goes ahead, cheap beef will come in from South America into the European market and impact on the price of Irish beef for Irish farmers. Vulture funds are beginning to circle over Irish farms. Banks are selling loans of Irish farms to vulture funds. It will have a huge impact on farming if these loans are sold to vulture funds. The Irish Farmers' Association needs to step up to the mark and support farmers on that issue.

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