Dáil debates

Wednesday, 18 September 2019

Agriculture: Motion [Private Members]

 

4:15 pm

Photo of Fiona O'LoughlinFiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Sometimes the term "crisis" can be bandied around but that is not the position in this instance. The beef sector in Ireland, one of the largest and best in Europe and in the world, is not only in crisis and under threat but in danger of disappearing if positive action is not taken soon. The downward spiral in beef prices, despite being very well flagged to the Government - which ignored it, unfortunately - has resulted in protests by farmers, factories being closed, workers being laid off, other business interests, such as hauliers, being affected, etc.

There was general relief last Wednesday when it was felt that a deal which could be implemented had been reached but that relief soon turned to despair. This was compounded earlier today when it was reported on the radio that there is a very strong possibility beef will soon disappear from restaurant menus and that international contracts could be lost. If that happens, there will be no coming back.

I come from a farming background. I have stood with the farmers in Kildare and listened to their stories, anger, frustration, despair, mistrust and sadness about being placed in such a situation. Only this morning, I spoke to a farmer who was in tears not only because of his inability to pay his upcoming bills and to deal with the meat processors but also as a result of a level of intimidation that is happening at the protests at some of the factory gates. That is wrong and it must be called out. There needs to be a rebalancing in the beef supply in order to ensure fair play and transparency for farmers. Those are the three most important terms we can use in this context. That is what this is about, namely, the primary producer, fair play and transparency.

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