Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Over recent years, the beef farmers in this country have been under enormous stress and pressure, with consistently falling incomes coupled with higher costs annually. Fundamentally, looking back and looking at it from a distance, one could say the primary producer has been increasingly marginalised in the sector overall. The Government and beef industry itself have reacted far too late to what has been a growing and deepening crisis for many beef farmers. That belated response has contributed to the crisis itself but also to the difficulty in resolving it.

The National Planning Championships commenced today. This is an event that showcases the very best of Irish agriculture and farming but it is against the backdrop of the severest crisis facing the beef sector in many years. It is fair to say that the crisis has been exacerbated by the Brexit situation. The signing and endorsement by the Government and former Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Phil Hogan, of the Mercosur beef deal further enraged beef farmers at a particularly difficult time. Thousands of workers have been laid off, with very negative consequences for the economies in the towns in question and the hinterlands of the factories.

Last March, Fianna Fáil constructively tabled a Private Members' motion calling for progressive action to be taken on fair prices, the 30-month age restriction, the four-movement rule, weight restrictions on cattle, 70 days' residency and transparency in the beef supply chain. We have been calling for a food ombudsman for quite a long time. It is interesting that many of the elements called for are now contained in the agreement signed this week but it has taken this long to have some significant movement on these issues. The Government did not act urgently enough on the motion. We had during the local elections an electorally engineered scheme involving the former Commissioner, Mr. Hogan, and the Government but we learned subsequently that there were many caveats and conditions attached to the BEAM initiative, resulting in many small farmers, in particular, not applying, because it involves a reduction in livestock.

Negotiations this week have resulted in an agreement, signed by the representative bodies of the farming sector. This has not yet translated to the picket line and the blockades have not been lifted. This reflects a lack of trust, a level of frustration among farmers and a breakdown in relationships between all in the sector.

We welcome the agreement. We believe space should be given to the various farm organisations to discuss, advocate and vote for the deal. Speedy implementation has to occur.

I put it to the Taoiseach, however, that the Government should still seek further Common Agricultural Policy market disturbance aid for losses incurred since May. It should avail of all avenues to increase the live export trade; the Government has also been tardy on that front. It should also work towards the introduction of a €200 suckler cow payment in the next CAP. The Government should reject the Mercosur deal, which will undermine EU climate change policy. Will the Taoiseach agree to those measures? Does he accept that a comprehensive range of measures has to be taken to ensure a sustainable future for beef farming in this country?

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