Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

785. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his contribution to the informal European Council meeting of 16 November 2020; if he highlighted the risks of importing third country beef to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39630/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At the most recent Informal Video-conference of Agri-Fish Ministers on 16 November, I took the opportunity to again raise concerns about the very negative impact that the EU-Mercosur agreement could have on Ireland’s beef sector.

The inclusion of a significant Tariff Rate Quota for Mercosur beef in the final agreement underlines these economic concerns, and there are also very serious sustainability issues, among others, that need to be adequately addressed.

Following the conclusion of the headline political agreement of 28 June 2019, the Deputy will be aware that a whole-of-government review of the impact on Ireland was announced.

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, in collaboration with my Department, commissioned Implement Consulting Group to carry out an Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment for Ireland. I expect this review to be completed shortly, and it will inform the Government’s position in relation to the ratification of the agreement.