Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

At approximately this time yesterday the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine launched a report on the status of beef production in Ireland and related issues. The report makes a number of recommendations, one of which relates to a serious threat to the beef industry in Ireland - the Mercosur trade deal. This deal will have damaging implications for the beef sector if it goes through. I ask the Taoiseach for a clear commitment that he and his Government will oppose that trade deal if it includes the importing of any beef from Latin America into Europe, because such imports would have a detrimental effect on the beef sector. Coupled with that, while we are discussing the major issues of climate change, we are talking about bringing beef to Europe from the other side of the world. It makes no sense whatsoever. It flies in the face of everything we are supposed to stand for in respect of climate change and other such issues. Will the Taoiseach confirm that the Government will oppose any trade deal that includes importing beef from Latin America into Europe?

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