Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the first opportunity I have had to do so, I congratulate Deputy Troy on his appointment as spokesman on business, enterprise and innovation. The Deputy has raised a number of questions and I will try to address them. I appreciate fully and recognise the concerns of beef farmers on this deal. It is important to remember that the deal has been negotiated at EU level where the Government has consistently raised serious concerns in relation to beef access over a long period. I raised the matter at every opportunity at European Trade Council meetings as well as directly with the trade Commissioner, Ms Cecilia Malmström. As recently as 31 May 2019, I wrote to the Commissioner to highlight once again Ireland's concerns in relation to beef. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, raised the matter with his EU counterparts also and the Taoiseach joined with a number of other EU Heads of Government from France, Poland and Belgium to express our concerns to President Juncker. The Government has sought in every way to achieve the best possible deal for our farmers. It is important to remember that the Mercosur countries were looking initially for a beef quota of 300,000 tonnes whereas the draft agreement provides for a quota of 99,000 tonnes. While that is still a higher volume than we want, it is less than a third of what was originally sought. The quota is also split between fresh and frozen product and will be phased in over a period of six years from the date of finalisation of the agreement in its legal form, which is likely to be two years from now.

I know that other figures were mentioned. There was an historic offer at one time. I understand that in 2004, an offer of 130,000 tonnes was on the table from the EU. In 2004, the Commission offered 130,000 tonnes. Now it is down to 99,000 tonnes. The Government acknowledges that the agreement on beef access that has been reached provides for more imports than we would have wished. However, the level of access that has been agreed is far less than Mercosur was looking for. As Deputies will be aware, it was looking for 300,000 tonnes.

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