Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is positive that the Minister and her colleagues, in particular the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, are taking this issue seriously. As others have stated, this deal, if passed by the European Council and Parliament, has the potential to decimate the Irish beef market. I listened to Mr. Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, on the radio on Saturday morning. He spoke about a €1 billion displacement fund having been secured as part of this deal. What farmers really want, however, is a fair price for their produce. They do not want displacement funds. They produce beef to the highest possible standards and they want a fair price for that produce. As the Minister stated, this is not a completed deal. We need to ensure that EU beef markets are protected, not just in Ireland but in other European countries.

As other Senators have said, Ireland's predominantly grass-based beef production is one of the most carbon efficient in the world while Brazil removes vast amounts of rain forest each year to enable extra beef production. This point must also be recognised, as others have stated. Our farmers, along with other European farmers, must be supported accordingly. The Minister has stated that the Government will be looking at this deal in detail. It is important that we ensure better outcomes for farmers, meet the challenges of climate change and protect the integrity of the EU food market.