Martin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The beef and livestock industry is a large part of the rural economy's sustainability. It affects every rural parish. Were it not for its contribution, rural Ireland would be barren. I am conscious of small beef producers. We should not forget their contribution to the dairy sector. They are the ones who are buying up surplus dairy herd calves for the beef herd. Suckler cows are also of huge importance to rural Ireland.

I have always been conscious of the opinion that the beef farmer is the poor relation in the wider farming enterprise. When anyone is the poor relation, there is less thought of him or her. Since I came into this House almost 18 years ago I have seen how beef farmers have struggled against all the odds, the political establishment and the beef barons as they try to make a living and get a decent price for their produce. It is very evident that the political establishment thinks a great deal more of the beef barons, rather than the beef producers. We have seen the beef barons manipulating the market in this market for their own selfish interests. Everyone knows who I am talking about. They have their feed lots and can manipulate the market to suit their own greedy intentions. This has happened during the years and nothing has been done about it by the people in power who could do something about it.

We have seen Phil Hogan's actions as a Commissioner and what he has negotiated in the Mercosur deal.

What will that mean for the beef farming sector, pig farmers and poultry farmers? It will have a major impact on their ability to survive. I do not believe for one minute that the political establishment of former Governments and the current Government give a goddamn about the poor weak farmers in this country. I do not believe it for one minute because they have sat on their arses down through the years and allowed the market to be manipulated to the detriment of the survival of the beef farmers. This is something that perhaps the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will try to explain when he stands up later. Brexit is down the road. What will be the consequences of Brexit? We also have Mercosur. Where will that leave what is left of our beef farmers?

I listened to the contribution of the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. She spoke about a mixed agreement and that our current understanding is that all of the member states' parliaments, including this House, will have their say. What the hell does "our current understanding" mean? It means nothing. It is just a moment in time. We do not know that. I have heard nothing concrete coming from the Government last night or today that gives a guarantee the agreement will come back here and that the Government will use a veto to stop an agreement that will destroy our beef sector. What I want to hear from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he stands up is that he is giving an absolute guarantee that the Government, or whatever Government will be in power, will use its veto.

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