Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like my colleagues, I am deeply concerned about the impact the Mercosur deal will have on Irish farmers. We all know the position with respect to beef prices, to which my colleague referred. Farmers are under pressure to survive as matters stand. The climate change plan and Brexit are coming down the line. Brexit will have a serious impact on Irish farmers, including on beef exports. I ask the Minister to take that on board. If we allow this deal to proceed, farmers will come under more pressure. I am worried about what will happen to the Irish beef industry and our beef farmers. They will not survive what is coming down the road. The Minister and the Taoiseach must ask the European Union to put a stay on this deal at least until we see the outcome of Brexit. Perhaps then, we will know what will be the future of the beef industry and whether beef farmers will survive. Will the Minister and the Taoiseach ask the EU to hold off on this deal at least until we know the results of Brexit?

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