Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)

I want to raise the issue of the Mercosur deal. It is a significant threat to the livelihoods of farming families across this country. It was designed by industrialists in the rest of the EU seeking to improve their export opportunities to South America.

The Mercosur deal was designed by industrialists in the rest of the EU seeking to improve their export opportunities to South America. It looks like Irish agriculture has been sacrificed on the altar of Mercosur. It beggars belief that, at a time of serious conversation around climate change, beef that has been raised on South American land where trees have been felled and ecosystems have been destroyed is to be brought thousands of miles to this country and the rest of Europe to supplant Irish beef that is produced to a far higher environmental standard. This is at a time one third of farmers are earning a living off the farm, one third are only making a living because they are also doing another job and the remaining third are in poverty. It is absolutely incredible. Where does the Government stand on this issue? From what I can see, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are speaking out both sides of their mouths on the issue of Mercosur. Neither farmers nor I have confidence that the Government will use every available lever to ensure that this deal is ended. Will the Minister of State make a clear declaration, without any equivocation, that this Government will end its passive attitude towards Mercosur and ensure it does not pass? Will he make arrangements and alliances with other European countries with similar views so we can put an end to this threat to Irish farmers?

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