Fianna Fáil and Agriculture spokesperson Charlie McConalogue are bringing forward a private members motion in the Dáil this evening to highlight the downward spiral in beef prices which has resulted in farmer protests, factories closing, and workers laid off.
Immediate action is needed to solve the Beef Crisis, according to the Donegal TD, who is advocating for more policy changes to help farmers.
Speaking ahead of the motion, Agriculture spokesperson Charlie McConalogue TD, said, “We welcome the deal struck over the weekend and it is now important that space is given to farm organisations to advocate all aspects of the deal to their members and that Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Minister for Agriculture ensure that all agreed actions are implemented promptly.
“An income crisis for beef farmers warrants an immediate set of actions to be carried out as pinpointed in our Dáil motion. While some of these points are included in the deal brokered on Sunday, there are still a number of areas that Fianna Fail will advocate for.
“These include requesting CAP market disturbance aid for price losses suffered since May; working towards the introduction of a €200 suckler cow payment in the next CAP and implementing the EU new Directive on Unfair Trading Practices into Irish law, which should be enforced by an independent National Food Ombudsman.
“I look forward to this evening’s debate on our motion and would urge the government to support the motion, taking real action to help farmers affected by the beef crisis,” concluded Deputy McConalogue.