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

The Government has fought to achieve the best deal possible for our farmers. This is a deal negotiated at EU level. As a member state, Ireland has raised serious concerns over a long time on beef access. For my part, I raised these concerns at every opportunity at European Trade Council meetings. I also raised it directly with the European Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström. As recently as 31 May, I wrote to her once again highlighting our serious concerns, particularly given the current challenges and uncertainty facing the Irish beef sector in light of Brexit.

There has been a sustained effort right across the Government on this matter. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, raised it with his EU counterparts. The Taoiseach also wrote jointly, along with the leaders of France, Belgium and Poland, to highlight our concerns to the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker.

It must be remembered the South American countries were initially looking for a beef quota of 300,000 tonnes. The deal on the table provides for 99,000 tonnes and it is clearly segmented 45% frozen and 55% fresh. It is also carcass weight equivalent ensuring it involves the whole animal, not just prime cuts. Irish farmers produce a high-quality product in a competitive market. They accept there is always going to be competition but they want a level playing field. In that regard, this agreement ensures there will be equivalent standards. EU sanitary and phytosanitary standards, SPS, will not be relaxed in any way. They remain non-negotiable. The highest EU standards will be applied to all imported goods, especially food, to ensure no hormone beef or GMOs will be allowed.

Currently 270,000 tonnes of beef from Mercosur already enter the EU market. Those imports are subject to rigorous testing by veterinary authorities across the EU, work that is overseen by the European Food and Veterinary Office in Grange, County Meath. Equivalent standards are an integral part of this agreement.

Several Deputies have raised genuine concerns on the climate impact of this deal, in particular around the Brazilian track record on the environment. I am not here to defend the Brazilian President, Mr. Bolsonaro, nor would I attempt to do so. However, the Mercosur countries, including Brazil, will have to fully implement the Paris Climate Agreement as part of this deal. I have no doubt the European Commission, as will all member states, will be monitoring Brazil’s actions closely over the next two years. Should Brazil walk away from the Paris Agreement or fail to meet its obligations, then this deal falls. It is as simple as that.

See this speech in context