Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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112. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the announced increases in the Brazilian national herd comparable to the total cattle population in this State; and any implications that the Mercosur Trade Agreement may have on this. [53123/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I recognise that there is concern around potential increases in the Brazilian national herd in the context of such increases having negative impacts on the environment, and in particular on the Amazon rainforest and its ecosytems.

The EU-Mercosur political agreement of June 2019 includes provisions which require commitments from both the EU and from Mercosur countries to meet their obligations to address the urgent threat of climate change, and the role that trade has in this regard.

The agreement underscores the importance of both Parties implementing the provisions of the Paris Agreement. It also contains an explicit mechanism whereby concerns about environmental conditions can be raised on a bilateral basis in a manner that is transparent and subject to public accountability.

Ireland and other EU countries continue to raise additional concerns about the environmental and climate change provisions in the agreement, and we are seeking the provision of additional enforceable guarantees which strengthen environmental protections.

Across Government, we continue to take every opportunity to articulate this position at EU level. Most recently, this position was reiterated at the Agri-Fish Council meeting last week in Luxembourg.

Based on these concerns raised by Ireland and other EU countries, the European Commission and the European External Action Service are currently engaged with Mercosur countries on negotiating additional enforceable commitments on climate and deforestation.

It is my view, and more broadly the Government's view, that such enforceable guarantees which strengthen environmental protections, particularly with regard to the Amazon rainforest, will be an important factor in informing our assessment of the benefits of the Agreement when it is formally presented for decision.

Ireland's beef system cannot be compared with Brazil's in terms of our committment to sustainability. Irish beef is a far superior product produced by our world-class farmers.