MEP Ciaran Mullooly has challenged Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister Martin Haydon over country of origin labeling and food safety concerns surrounding Brazilian beef.
The Midlands-North West MEP was addressing Haydon in Brussels at the EU Agriculture and Rural Development Committee today (Tuesday 14 July).
Mulooly also called on the Agriculture Minister to protect active farmers from age-based restrictions on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments and commit the government to providing the maximum possible national support under the next CAP.
Haydon was outlining Ireland’s priorities for agriculture and rural development as host of the EU Council presidency for six months until the end of this year.
During his contribution to the discussion, Mulooly pressed the Minister on country of origin labeling and food safety concerns surrounding Brazilian beef.
The Irish Independent politician also once again pointed to continued opposition from Irish farmers to the EU-Mercosur trade deal.
“You have seen farmers on the streets of Ireland since 20,000 people came out to protest against Mercosur on January 10,” the MEP said.
Food labeling and CAP
Mululi said he would work constructively with the Minister of Agriculture on negotiations related to organic production and labeling.
However, he said clear country of origin labeling should apply to all food products and not just organic food: “We have looked for agreement, particularly in the area of labeling, to ensure that we have unambiguous, large and legible labels on country of origin.
“Do you agree with me that this is necessary for all foodstuffs, not just organic ones?”
Turning to the future of the Common Agricultural Policy, Mulooly sought assurances that truly active farmers would not lose support simply because they reached retirement age.
“On the Common Agricultural Policy, can I ask you, would you accept or reject proposals that would make active farmers ineligible for CAP payments simply because they have reached state retirement age?”
He also urged the Irish Government to increase Ireland’s national contribution to the upcoming Common Agricultural Policy and provide the highest possible support to farmers.
“Will your government use that flexibility it has in the next Common Agricultural Policy to increase the Irish National Treasury contribution above the current minimum and choose the maximum level of support for Irish farmers, particularly in the context of generational renewal?” Mullooly asked Haydon.
The independent MEP for Ireland also questioned why the EU was seeking a trade agreement with Mercosur countries.
“We now know that despite efforts to temporarily implement the Mercosur agreement, Brazilian beef is not safe. It is not on the safe list.”
Highlighting the approaching deadline for Brazil to demonstrate compliance with EU requirements, Mulooly asked: “On September 3, there is another deadline.
“Do you agree with Patrick Wall, former head of the European Food Safety Authority, that it is not scientifically or practically possible for the Brazilian industry to meet this deadline now?”
In response, Minister Haydon said that Mercosur had been raised by several MEPs and Member States and that the agreement was now undergoing a legal process.
He said trade remained a constant item on the EU Council’s agenda, and stressed that imported products must meet the same high standards required of European producers.
Minister Haydon said: “Our standards are very high here in Europe, for our producers and beyond, so we expect any product coming into Europe to meet the same standards. Our customers expect nothing less.”
While welcoming the Minister’s comment on the equivalent criteria, Mulooli said the government must now provide direct answers on Common Agricultural Policy eligibility, national funding and food labeling.
“Irish farmers cannot be expected to meet the highest standards in the world while products produced under different conditions are given access to the same market,” Mullooly said.
