Paul Murphy
Ceist:111. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will oppose the Mercosur trade deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66427/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTrade Agreements
Ceisteanna (111)
Freagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government is clear, whereby it includes a commitment to “work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal”.
Along with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who has lead responsibility for trade policy, I have actively engaged with both the European Commission and with other Member States across the EU to voice these and other concerns in relation to the EU-Mercosur Agreement.
During these engagements, we have repeatedly emphasised Ireland’s requirements for credible, legally-binding commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including climate, biodiversity, and deforestation protections.
We have repeatedly emphasised that beef in particular is a very sensitive sector, which is vulnerable to negative impacts from the Mercosur agreement. The Government has concerns on the preferential access being given to Mercosur if South American farmers are not subject to the same sustainable farming standards as our own farmers.
Since my appointment as Minister earlier this year, I have raised these concerns at Agri-Fish Council meetings and also with like-minded Member States through bilateral meetings on the margins of these Council meetings. In recent months, I have met with my French, Italian, Austrian, Latvian and Polish counterparts to exchange views.
It is still not clear at this stage whether there is a blocking minority in Council, as this requires at least four MS representing over 35% of the EU population to vote against or abstain. This would require all of the three large MS with concerns (Poland, Italy and France) to oppose in order to meet the population requirement.
Ireland's position on the EU-Mercosur Agreement remains as clearly outlined in the Programme for Government and we will continue to engage with like-minded Member States and at the appropriate EU fora
Animal Diseases
Ceisteanna (112, 117, 133, 144)
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Ceist:112. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that restrictions in place to prevent the further spread of HPAI H5N1 are effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66679/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
James O'Connor
Ceist:117. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the bird flu crisis across the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66743/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Noel McCarthy
Ceist:133. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken by his Department to contain the spread of avian influenza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66729/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Tony McCormack
Ceist:144. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of avian influenza in the State; the measures his Department is taking to support poultry farmers and mitigate the risk of further outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66636/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 117, 133 and 144 together.
Since early November, there have been four outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by the H5N1 virus in turkey flocks in counties Carlow, Meath, Monaghan, and Laois.
My Department has been implementing disease control and eradication measures in line with the EU Animal Health Law provisions and national legislation. This includes the placing of 3km radius protection zones and 10km radius surveillance zones around each holding where an outbreak has occurred, and implementing surveillance and disease control measures within these zones.
Prior to this, an outbreak of HPAI occurred in a confined establishment in Cork in October, following which that establishment was closed while disease control measures were implemented in line with the legislation.
The H5N1 virus has been circulating in wild birds throughout the country during 2025, creating a serious and ongoing risk of infection to poultry and captive bird flocks.
I introduced mandatory biosecurity measures on 1st November and a housing order on 10th November for all poultry and captive bird owners, with similar measures being undertaken in Northern Ireland. My Department also meets regularly with poultry stakeholders to keep them appraised of this developing situation, with the most recent meeting taking place on 20th November.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act (2013) provides that compensation to owners of animals may be payable if a cull of those animals is directed by my Department in the event of a HPAI outbreak.
The compensation may relate to the animal that is culled, or to an animal product, animal feed or similar item that is destroyed in relation to the outbreak. The compensation may not exceed the open market value of the animal or item. Compensation is payable only to the owner of the animals or items affected.
Strong biosecurity remains our most effective tool for preventing the spread of this disease. All poultry and captive bird keepers should remain vigilant of any signs of the disease and to report any suspicion to their local Regional Veterinary Office without delay.
My Department issues regular updates on the avian influenza situation in Ireland and publishes guidance on the Government Website at www.gov.ie/birdflu
Agriculture Supports
Ceisteanna (113)
Tom Brabazon
Ceist:113. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the work of his Department on the Programme for Government commitment to increase scheme supports for sheep farmers over a five-year term in office. [66457/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government acknowledges the vital role of farmers as a driving force in the rural economy and as custodians of the landscape while ensuring sustainable food production for a growing world population.
Strengthening farm incomes is a priority for this Government. We will continue to support the sheep sector with targeted exchequer supports and with other EU co-funded supports that are available to all farmers through the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP).
In Budget 2026, I secured an allocation of €131 million for the livestock sector, which will ensure the continuation of existing dedicated supports, including those worth €42m to the sheep sector in 2026.
Those supports consist of €20m for the multi-annual CSP Sheep Improvement Scheme and €22m for the annual National Sheep Welfare Scheme. The budget for the current National Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2025 was an increase of €7m, or 47%, on the preceding year of 2024. Payments amounting to €16.44m have already issued to more than 13,000 farmers in respect of their participation in the 2025 scheme.
In addition, there are many other multi-annual schemes available under the current CSP, which is worth €9.8 billion to farmers and rural communities between 2023 and 2027. These include basic income payments as well as agri-environment, investment and organic farming schemes, which are particularly significant for sheep farmer incomes.
I am committed to continue providing sheep farmers with meaningful supports aimed at promoting a viable, resilient and sustainable sheep sector.
Food Prices
Ceisteanna (114)
Martin Daly
Ceist:114. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to address the rising cost of food and groceries, given that grocery prices are at unprecedented levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66756/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has no role in determining or intervening in prices for food commodities at farm gate or retail level. Market prices are a matter between suppliers and buyers.
It is also important to note that agricultural output prices are only one element of food prices. The final cost also includes processing, transportation, packaging, marketing, and retail costs.
However, my Department closely monitors trends in agricultural output and input prices.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) reports monthly on the Agricultural Price Output Index, which tracks the prices paid to farmers for their produce, and the Agricultural Price Input Index, which tracks the prices paid by farmers for purchases of goods and services. These prices are sensitive to geopolitical and global economic trends and shocks, and have seen considerable volatility since 2021.
The CSO recently released the preliminary estimates for 2025. The Agricultural Price Output Index is projected to have increased by 15% in 2025 when compared with 2024. The rise in output prices were principally driven by a 41% increase in cattle prices, with sheep and milk prices rising by 5%.
I wish to make it very clear that as approximately 90% of Irish dairy and beef products are exported, it is global rather than domestic prices which mainly determine farm gate prices for milk and cattle in Ireland. Higher commodity prices driven by strong demand globally and lower levels of supply, particularly for beef and milk, have driven higher output prices.
The Agricultural Input Price Index is currently relatively stable with a rise of 1% in 2025. This follows a 7.8% increase in the output index and a 10% decrease in the input index in 2024, compared to 2023.
While slowing inflation and normalising supply chains have helped to reduce input prices relative to their peak in 2022, they do remain at an elevated level compared to pre-2021 levels.
It is also important to acknowledge the role of An Rialálaí Agraibhia (The Agrifood Regulator), which ensures compliance with, and enforcement of, legislation on unfair trading practices in the agrifood supply chain. It also provides information on the agrifood supply chain through the analysis of price and market data.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (115)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:115. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase afforestation rates and diversification of forest plantations to reach its afforestation targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66275/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government’s ambitious afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year is set out in the Climate Action Plan. To help achieve this target, the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 provides for a wide range of generous financial incentives and planting options which encouraging landowners to plant trees, including a range of grants for different forest types, and a premium paid to farmers for 20 years and 15 years to non-farmers.
Afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners and that there is a range of alternative options on offer for their land. Therefore, encouraging farmers and landowners to plant on their lands, which represents a permanent land use change, represents a significant commitment.
In 2025, and to help support all landowners in making this decision, my Department delivered a broad communications and engagement programme which included:
• A national advertising campaign, targeted SMS messaging, and social media,
• Engagement at national and specific events including the National Ploughing Championships and the Tullamore show,
• The provision of €1.4 million under the Open Call for Forestry Promotion supporting 42 stakeholder projects in 2023/24 and allocated €1.53 million to support 48 projects in 2025/26.
• Launching the Forest Type 3 ‘Forests on Public Lands’ initiative engaging 26 Local Authorities, state organisations and public bodies with land through one-to-one meetings tailoring solutions to their needs, and
• collaboration with Teagasc through open days, the Let’s Talk Trees information meetings, and other events.
The goal of this programme was to answer questions or concerns farmers, landowners, and public organisations may have about planting on their lands, and tailor solutions to their specific needs.
The efficacy of this approach has been demonstrated in the strong growth in new plantings figures, which are almost double of that in 2024, with near 3,000 hectares planted and paid since January by the end of this year.
In 2026 my Department will continue to learn from and build on this success, delivering a new and more targeted Communications and Engagement Strategy.
I am confident that the range of schemes and supports we are offering will continue to support landowners to plant trees on their land and grow the forestry sector by providing a sustainable land use option into the future.
Food Safety
Ceisteanna (116)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:116. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the food standards of South American agricultural products that may be imported into Ireland; if he is concerned that they are being produced using hazardous pesticides that have been banned in the EU for decades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66484/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Reports of the Farmers Journal investigation into the sale of hormones and antibiotics in Brazil raise important issues and merit careful examination.
We know that Brazilian beef already enters the EU market, and it is therefore important to ensure that none of the unregulated products referenced in the investigation are used in its production. While there is no evidence that this is the case, these reports reinforce the need for continued vigilance.
According to Central Statistics Office data for the last number of years, Ireland has not imported beef product in any significant quantities from Brazil. In 2024, imports from Brazil amounted to 97 tonnes of a total of 34,000 tonnes imported. Beef imports from other Mercosur countries was virtually nil.
The EU has very stringent standards, known as SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) standards, to protect human, animal and plant health. These are amongst the highest in the world, and the European Commission has insisted that they are not negotiable. These SPS standards remain unaltered regardless of any trade agreements concluded by the EU.
The Government is very firmly of the view that these EU SPS standards must continue to be rigorously upheld for the benefit of European consumers. It is also important that the European Commission continues to engage with the Brazilian authorities to ensure that this is the case.
Production standards go beyond SPS standards, and take other issues into account, including environmental sustainability.
The Commission has committed to rolling out initiatives in this area as set out in the Vision for Agriculture and Food, including steps towards potential alignment of production standards between domestic and imported products - notably on pesticides and animal welfare - and an increase in SPS checks.
On pesticides, the Commission has established a principle that the most hazardous pesticides banned in the EU for health and environmental reasons are not allowed back to the EU through imported products.
Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 112.
Animal Diseases
Ceisteanna (118)
Brian Brennan
Ceist:118. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress of the Bovine TB Action Plan in view of the impact of TB on Wicklow and Wexford farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66671/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In recent years we have seen a significant increase in bTB levels nationally. In 2024 over 6,000 farm families were affected by a bTB outbreak and herd incidence was over 6%.
As at 16th November 2025 on a 12 month basis herd incidence has fallen below 6% nationally. However, I wish to acknowledge that herd incidence is over 12% in Wicklow East, over 17% in Wicklow West and over 6% in Wexford.
I have undertaken extensive engagement with stakeholders and farming organisations to agree measures to tackle the current disease levels, and in June I received the support of government to introduce additional measures to the Bovine TB programme.
On 9 September, I launched the ‘Bovine TB Action Plan: Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland’. There are 5 measures and 30 actions underpinned by scientific evidence, research and veterinary expertise
Support herds free of bTB to remain free
Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB
Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a bTB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown
Help farmers improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity
Reduce the impact of known high-risk animals in spreading bTB
The aim of the Action Plan is to reset the bTB programme in the context of putting in place measures necessary to tackle the current disease situation. These measures are targeting both transmission between wildlife and cattle, and transmission between cattle.
Some of these measures require work on IT systems which is being prioritised in my Department and will be rolled out in the coming months. Farmers and all stakeholders will be notified in advance of the introduction of these changes to the TB programme through communication campaigns. I will also, as part of the implementation of the Action Plan, be introducing a scheme in 2026 for improving on-farm badger biosecurity which will support farmers in taking steps in reducing the risk of badger to cattle and cattle to badger transmission of bovine TB.
I have also received an increased budget for the TB programme with €157 million allocated in budget 2026. This will allow the TB programme to focus on driving down disease through the implementation of the measures laid out in the bTB Action Plan.
Food Industry
Ceisteanna (119)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:119. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures which he is taking to ensure land-use/farming for food production is financially viable compared to land-use/farming for energy production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65162/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am committed to supporting the long-term economic viability of the Irish agrifood sector. I will briefly outline the current data on economic viability.
The National Farm Survey reports on income and viability trends and for 2024, it shows that Family Farm Income increased to an average of €36,000 across all farm systems. Income growth was driven by a combination of improved farm output prices, easing input costs, more favourable weather and direct payments provided by my Department, which accounts for 59% of farm income on average.
Farm income is a key determinant of viability, and the 2024 National Farm Survey results indicate that 42% of farms were viable, while a further 34% of farms were classified as sustainable. The outlook for farm incomes in 2025 is also positive, with a further increase of 39% in average farm incomes forecast.
Achieving Ireland’s national and EU ambitions on climate, land use and biodiversity will require the application of the best scientific and technological advancements available coupled with engagement of all stakeholders.
It is important to provide farmers with opportunities to ensure that they can maximise the income from their holdings, maintain viable holdings and protect our family farm tradition.
My Department supports a range of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, including improvement in bovine genetics, low emission slurry spreading technologies, investments in anaerobic digestion, solar panels on farms, and many other measures.
My aim is to ensure that we future-proof Ireland’s agrifood sector for the benefit of the environment and our farm families. It is critical that we work together to keep the agrifood sector in Ireland on a positive trajectory to achieve economic and environmental sustainability.
Trade Agreements
Ceisteanna (120)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:120. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his discussions with his European counterparts in view of the concerns highlighted to him by Irish beef farmers on the proposed EU-Mercosur Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66419/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Along with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who has lead responsibility for trade policy, I have actively engaged with both the European Commission and with other Member States across the EU to voice Ireland’s concerns in relation to the EU-Mercosur Agreement.
During these engagements, we have repeatedly emphasised Ireland’s requirements for credible, legally-binding commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including climate, biodiversity, and deforestation protections. We have repeatedly emphasised that beef in particular is a very sensitive sector, which is vulnerable to negative impacts from the Mercosur agreement.
Since my appointment as Minister earlier this year, I have raised these concerns at Agri-Fish Council meetings and also with like-minded Member States through bilateral meetings on the margins of these Council meetings.
In recent months, I have met with my French, Italian, Austrian, Latvian and Polish counterparts to exchange views. Most recently, I have met with my Italian and French counterparts en marge of the November Agri-Fish Council meeting in Brussels.
In October the Commission made a proposal to further reinforce safeguards on imports of sensitive products through a dedicated legal act which will operationalise the Bilateral Safeguards chapter of the agreement. Ireland has sought clear, transparent and regular two-way engagement on the monitoring of the market situation for sensitive products, as well as some clarity on definitions within the regulation and the use of surveillance measures. We will continue to engage with Commission on these issues.
As it stands Ireland's position on the EU-Mercosur Agreement remains as clearly outlined in the Programme for Government: ‘Work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal.