Dáil debates

Thursday, 30 April 2020

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements

 

11:40 pm

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I will try to deal with many of the issues he has raised. On the issue of migrant workers, the European Commission in a communiqué in late March made a specific appeal to member states to recognise that this section of the workforce needed to be facilitated. They have been an integral part of, in particular, the horticulture sector here for many years. Many people who work here come back year after year.

That in itself is a statement in respect of the terms and conditions under which they are employed. I do not wish to comment on social media posts and so on but I acknowledge the Deputy's point about some people hijacking this issue for other motives. If there are issues which need to be brought to the attention of the relevant authorities, that should be done. Otherwise, it is a case of give a dog a bad name and you hang him. People will deliberately conflate issues and that does a significant disservice to those who provide valuable and honourable employment opportunities for migrant workers, and they are an integral part of the horticultural sector in particular. I accept many of the points made by the Deputy in that regard.

There are supports for the beef sector other than those from the EU. As I stated in response to Deputy Heydon, €85 million has been allocated to direct support schemes. A long time ago, the Common Agricultural Policy moved from supporting product prices to supporting incomes. The market determines the product price but the schemes funded by the State or the European Commission support incomes. There is €85 million available through schemes for beef farmers this year in addition to anything we may secure through our endeavour at European Union level. I ask Members to encourage farmers, particularly suckler farmers, to apply under the beef environmental efficiency programme.

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