Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)

I second the amendment. Like my colleague, there is nothing in this motion I would oppose. I generally support it. I want to concentrate my remarks on the Mercosur deal. Trade deals between the EU and other countries continue to threaten Irish agriculture. That is particularly true of the Mercosur deal, which will see the importation of South American beef into the EU. That will have a negative effect on Irish beef farmers and Irish exports. Irish agricultural produce is recognised as being of the highest quality and produced to the highest standards worldwide. The Mercosur trade deal, unless it excludes the importation of South American beef, would negatively affect the Irish economy and Irish family farms. The Mercosur trade deal is a bad deal for Irish and other EU farmers, and always has been. Sinn Féin has been consistent in its opposition to the deal. We will continue to stand with our beef and poultry farmers in opposing this deal.

Six years ago, I chaired a meeting in Cavan-Monaghan with farmers and farming organisations who at that stage were worried and opposed to this deal. They have not changed their opinion in that time. We all know the issues with the deal in respect of animal welfare standards and traceability, as well as the environmental consequences of deforestation. Some 99,000 tonnes of South American beef and 180,000 tonnes of South American poultry will be imported to the EU as part of this deal. Irish farmers must comply with environmental regulations, traceability, animal welfare and other laws with which their South American competitors will not have to comply. South American beef production is associated with the clearing of the Amazon rainforest, as well as lower and less well-implemented environmental safeguards generally. It is not acceptable that South American beef costing half the price of Irish beef will be on the menu of restaurants throughout Europe.

Ireland exports 90% of its beef around the world. We are the fifth largest exporter of beef. Irish family farms will be impacted if cheap beef and poultry, which will push Irish produce off the shelves, are introduced into the country. Once it starts, what is to stop the volume of South American beef and poultry being imported increasing?

The Irish Government must be clear and stand up to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in opposing the ratification of this deal and defending Irish agriculture. It must align itself with the other member states that are opposed to the deal. I welcome the Minister's statements in that regard. He said that was the position the Government was taking. I wonder if there has been any clarification of the position of the Government's MEPs. There seem to be different opinions, although I am open to clarification on that point. The Fine Gael MEP Nina Carberry is on the record as opposing this deal while Barry Andrews from the Fianna Fáil group is supporting it. What is the position?

The Mercosur trade deal is bad for Irish agriculture and Ireland and should be opposed strenuously.