Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leader for setting out the Order of Business for today. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 24, motion 8, on the Order Paper be taken before No. 1. This motion relates to the vacancy on the agricultural panel and the by-election.

I want to talk about the red meat industry. Those who follow the agricultural sector and food security will be very aware and particularly concerned about the recent reports from the Health and Safety Authority concerning serious breaches around public health, public safety and Covid. This industry has a very large workforce. Currently many workers would tell us they are forced to work in very tight, cramped conditions. Many of the workers in the industry are afraid to report incidents because they fear they will lose their jobs. Many of them are on very low pay and many of them are scared their work will dry up.

A report published this week and referred to in all the national press relates to issues around Covid and the serious possible cross-contamination of food which, in turn, will affect our foodchain. When there is doubt or a lack of confidence in a sector, particularly like the meat sector, it has a knock-on effect from retail to processing, back along the line to the farm gate and, ultimately, farm incomes.People will be seriously concerned about the consumption of meat if they read in the national press and in reports about the sector, its health and safety and that of its workers. It is important that we protect the workers and empower them to be able to be whistleblowers or whatever one calls it in order that they can articulate their concerns. More important is that we support them in terms of health and safety and look at the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, report. Therefore, I suggest, if at all possible, that the Minister or Minister of State with responsibility for food safety might come to the House and allow a brief opportunity for us to put a number of questions to them. We owe it to the workforce, to consumers and to agriculture that we have a healthy, safe and confident meat supply.