Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the beef task force, its work continues. One of the main outcomes is the agreement in regard to a PGI grass fed beef standard application to the European Commission. There is also an agreement, on which I have worked with the task force, to provide €6 million in funding for the first time to support the development of a suckler beef brand. There is more work ongoing, including on my proposal to develop a food ombudsman to bring transparency to the food supply chain.

On Deputy Mythen's question in regard to scallops, a number of issues have emerged following on from Brexit, not only in relation to fish landings in Britain but other products too. Many of these challenges are difficult to address but we are examining and teasing them out. Where possible, we will try to reach accommodations, but the reality is that Britain is now a third country from the point of view of the Single Market and that brings real challenges and changes in relation to our previous relationship.

On the quotas and the impact of Brexit, thankfully, there was an agreement and we avoided a no-deal scenario, but Brexit has brought challenges and a quota loss for the sector. I am working to see what options are available to address it at European level and also at domestic level in terms of working with the sector to put in place supports to help it adust.

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