Martin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank the sponsors of this motion. Sinn Féin is supporting it and I am glad to see that the Government will not oppose it. There have been many Private Members' motions passed here over the past few months which are sitting on shelves, going nowhere. It is up to the Government parties in particular to seize the nettle and push this motion forward and make sure its content is implemented.

We could not emphasise strongly enough the crisis in the beef sector. It is probably the most neglected side of agriculture in this country. The crisis is probably at its worst insofar as those of us who come from rural Ireland know first hand the difficulties the beef farmers, particularly those in the more rural isolated areas are enduring. It would be remiss of me not to say that the control of the beef sector is in the hands of a cartel. This has been going on for years, unchecked. This cartel can decide when it wishes to reduce the price of beef and use it for its own very selfish reasons. The cartels are supported by feedlots. The feedlots are there for one purpose alone, to ensure that the price is suitable to the cartels. There is no way of dealing with this upfront. Brexit will create further problems unless they are confronted face on.

I doubt very much whether there would be such an interest in the beef sector were it not for the Beef Plan Movement and its work over recent months. I have attended approximately five of its meetings where many farmers turn up at cattle marts in the cold and dark of night to outline their grievances and what they hope to see happening. It is very encouraging for those of us who are active in trying to do better for people who live in that situation. It has forced this onto the agenda and I applaud them for it but it needs to continue.

We need to tackle and break these cartels. Part of doing that is a beef market index, as mentioned in the motion. There is a way to do this through legislation or something similar to what was brought forward in the United States. That means we know what the farmer gets for his beast and we know what the consumer pays for it but we do not know what the processor is selling it on to the multiples for. That is where there is a huge gap. If we could get all-party agreement on legislation to make it mandatory for the processors to declare weekly what they are selling to the multiples for and the discount the multiples are getting from them, then we will see the massive gap between what the consumer pays and the producer gets. That is something positive we can do together, if the political will is there to do that.

The expanding dairy sector is a big problem and the type of calf that is becoming available, almost invariably frieisian calves. I have seen fine bull calves bought for €30 and €50. Mother of God Almighty, that is just giving them away. Someone has to try to do something to ensure there is a sustainable quality of calves coming through so that we can get the best value internationally for our beef.

Another fierce worry I have is what is happening within the EU and the Mercosur initiative. Apparently 99,000 tonnes of beef will come into the European market which will put extra pressure on the farming community and the beef sector even this side of Brexit. This is coming in because Germany wants to sell car parts to South America and it is pushing the deal for its benefit. That will affect our little island. That is why we need the Government to do everything in its power to ensure that this market is protected and that no animals can come into the EU unless they have the same stringent checks and balances, health and safety measures and traceability applicable to animals produced within the EU. I saw a fantastic TV programme made by the IFA in South America which showed the type of beef that will have access to the European market. Certainly after Brexit - if the Brits bow out - it will go into the British market and inevitably will find its way in here and into Europe. There are wild herds with no traceability whatsoever which could bring in foot and mouth and other diseases. I am glad everybody is on board here tonight.

The 70 day age limit for quality assurance, 13 months for steers and heifers, 16 months for bulls, grading machinery, excessive trimming: all of that was very well explained by the Beef Plan Movement to everybody present.

The situation in that regard also needs to be looked at.

The transport rule on the 125 km is causing great problems with the trimmings that are being taken from that. It is almost inevitable that this is profit for the cartels and the beef factories. It is not going back into the farmer's pockets. They are at a loss again in that regard.

I again welcome everybody from the farming sector and the beef sector here tonight. We need to try to assure them that all of us will work collectively together for their interests. I assure them, on behalf of my party, that I am not one bit afraid to tackle Larry Goodman or his ilk for what they have done to the Irish market and the way they have controlled it, manipulated it and used it for their selfish interests. We need to stand together with each and every farmer here today to ensure they will get a fair and decent price and that they will get the justice to which they are entitled and deserve.

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