Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion, which is the continuation of a long stream of activism to protect the viability and interests of the small to medium-sized beef farmers, and I want to focus in particular on farmers in County Clare. For far too long, there have been extremely unfair trading practices that have disadvantaged small-scale beef farmers. Traditionally, Ireland is a nation that prides itself on the quality of its agricultural produce, exporting 90% of its beef produce to the value of €2.4 billion in 2018, and has garnered a great international reputation accordingly.

The fact the Government was supposed to transpose an unfair trading practices directive that sought to strengthen the bargaining position of small-scale farmers but has yet to do so is concerning. This directive allows for the nomination of an enforcement authority, with a view to preventing the cartel-like behaviours that have long afflicted the supply chains in the sector, consistently putting small-scale farmers at a disadvantage and leaving them struggling to compete with the unjustifiably low prices that larger suppliers can offer.

I support the motion and the move toward establishing a regulator. Many stakeholders feel the remit of a national food ombudsman would dilute the function and scope of this agency, and call instead for the introduction of an independent meat regulator.

I believe an independent meat regulator is needed but it must be one with real teeth that can genuinely investigate and mediate in respect of the level of control of big processors. It must be able to hold factories and processors to account. It is absolutely 100% necessary.

Small farmers are the lifeblood of this nation. They must be protected by the Government. I call for the Government to meet the programme for Government commitment to ensure this new regulatory agency has a remit for transparency, price reporting and market analysis.

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