The issue of the national stadium will have repercussions on the meat industry. Deputy Currie has already mentioned that the State laboratory, the central meat testing laboratory, the veterinary research laboratory, the pesticide laboratory and the seed testing laboratory are all involved in the site proposed for the national stadium. Was the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development involved in discussions on the site for the stadium? What decision has he made regarding the 350 workers involved? Does the cost of £230 million include the relocation of these laboratories? Will they be moved to Cork or is there a chance that some of these facilities may be moved to Monaghan? This is an important issue. Testing is vital for the quality assurance of our beef and the health of our animals. Many people from Monaghan travel to the veterinary research laboratory to have testing done and we appreciate the work being done in the centre. As a farmer and as a representative of Cavan and Monaghan, I wish to know where the laboratory will be placed and what will happen to its workforce.
We recognise the commitment of the Minister, Deputy Walsh. Even as a Minister of State, he was involved in the announcement of the Goodman package. His work on Agenda 2000 is recognised and he has been praised by members of farming organisations as well as by his own party members. Major problems have arisen, however, from the farmers' guide which runs to 28 pages and the accompanying leaflet which offers advice on how cattle identity cards should be used. I raise this issue to highlight the bureaucracy imposed on farmers. In a letter addressed to each farmer concerned the Minister said that regional meetings would be held. I understand he appeared at some of them, although I am not sure how long he stayed. The meeting I attended in a hotel in Ballybay lasted several hours and was attended by 500 farmers and their wives who were anxious to ensure the best possible outcome to the Agenda 2000 negotiations. They were shocked by what they heard and very few questions were asked as a result. While we have no choice but to support the Bill in principle, the Minister should ensure bureaucracy is kept to a minimum as farmers are literally being driven to suicide. Many are being driven off the land, which must be avoided at all costs. This is a serious matter as many farmers attended primary school only – many did not attend special agricultural college. The fact that a 28 page guide and accompanying leaflet have had to be issued through the Department gives some indication of the complications that have arisen.
The proposed scheme only applies to beef produced in the European Union which has no control over issues such as the use of growth promoting hormones, hygiene standards at farm and meat plant level and traceability in respect of beef produced outside the European Union. It is inaccurate for the Minister to state, therefore, that consumers are fully protected by the Bill. The proposed standards put EU farmers and processors at a competitive disadvantage. To overcome this there is a need to make two changes. There should be a requirement to label all meat and meat products produced outside the European Union specifying the country of origin. Such a scheme should apply to all meat sold in retail outlets and restaurants. This is essential if the real objective is the protection of consumers. The Irish lobby at the EU-WTO negotiations must insist that those countries that wish to export meat to the European Union adhere to our internal quality assurance standards. We cannot allow beef which has been treated with hormones to be exported here from third country markets.
The costs associated with the scheme are high. Farmers are subjected to a raft of inspections for TB and brucellosis as well as headage and REP schemes. The Minister must ensure the scheme is introduced in a sensible manner that avoids unnecessary inspection costs for farmers who may face additional adherence costs for such matters as pollution control and improved animal housing in respect of which the level of finance available is inadequate. These costs will be most severely felt by those with least resources. The Minister should introduce a package of grant aid and tax relief to avoid financial hardship.
To protect farmers from over-officious inspectors a fair and independent appeals procedure must be put in place. The Bill as it stands—
