Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The lack of trust in the meat processing industry among farmers is enormous. For years, farmers have not believed they have been getting a fair return from the marketplace. In their minds and the minds of a lot of people, the Minister has failed as an independent arbitrator to put in place a regulator that would have brought some transparency to who gets what from every kilogram of beef that is sold. There is a belief among farmers that while other players in the industry - the processors, traders, retailers, hauliers and contractors - all get their margin and all get paid ultimately, the farmer has to take the price that is given with no reference whatever to the cost of his or her production. That cannot be maintained. It has to change. No other aspect of Irish society operates on the basis of being a price-taker regardless of the cost. So much of the livelihoods of others depends on the primary producer. Now people are starting to talk about the employees in the factories and to realise that there are others who depend on the livelihoods of farmers. If the farmer is not able to sustain a living for his or her family, all the other consequences will flow from that and it will impact on many others in society. The Minister must understand that many farmers, particularly those in designated disadvantaged areas, are unable to finish cattle in less than 30 months without using expensive meals and ration. There is no justification whatever for the 30-month rule. It must increase to 36 months without delay. Most people fail to understand why it has been allowed to continue. The issue of residency also has to be addressed. It has to be reduced to 30 days. The four movement rule must also be addressed.

If the Minister intends to stand by and watch the dairy herd grow by a further 30% in the next five years, he will be credited with the destruction of the beef farming sector. It makes no sense in terms of the impact it will have on the beef sector or in terms of our climate change commitments. That aspect needs to be addressed too.

See this speech in context