I welcome this opportunity to discuss Bord Bia. This issue goes beyond any single person or State agency. This issue goes to the heart of how we protect Ireland's reputation as a world-class producer of safe, high-quality food and how we as policymakers ensure the governance structures behind that reputation are robust and transparent. Bord Bia's job is to bring Ireland's produce to the world. That would not be possible without the work of Irish farmers. The success of our food exports is thanks to them and their expertise commitment, energy and hard work. Our farmers adhere to some of the most stringent animal health and welfare and sustainability standards in the world. That is no small feat. Irish farmers meet rigorous criteria that far exceed what is expected in many other markets. Each criterion represents time, cost and responsibility that is carried by farmers to uphold our reputation. Bearing all this in mind, I understand why farmers are frustrated and feel betrayed by what has transpired with the chairperson of Bord Bia. Believing as they do that those high standards are undermined by the actions of the agency charged with promoting them I imagine is a painful sting. The anger they feel comes from the real lived experiences of farmers who play by the rules and invest in higher standards all the while competing in an increasingly difficult global market. I understand that. I also understand that this controversy does not exist in a vacuum. It sits against the backdrop of the Government's inaction and complacency on trade issues, most notably and most recently Mercosur. For years, farmers have warned that allowing beef from regions with lower environmental and welfare standards into the EU market would undermine the sustainability credentials of Ireland which Irish farmers have worked so hard to promote. They, as so many of us did, repeatedly called on the Government to take a firmer stance and be vocal and active at an EU level in its opposition to this deal, to form an alliance with like-minded states and lobby others to join. The Government had a responsibility to do all it could to fight this deal not only for our farmers but for the Irish public more broadly. Unfortunately, instead it took a passive approach, offering empty statements rather than action, and now Mercosur is as good as here. The Government seriously let farmers, the environment and the public down. I and others are deeply disappointed by that. However, this motion asks us to support the removal of the chairperson of Bord Bia. While I support and understand the concerns, disappointment and fear farmers have about what the future holds for them, I cannot support that call. That would be an extreme step, especially considering that he has yet to appear before the agriculture committee to discuss this issue face to face and at length. I cannot support a decision like this before hearing those discussions and hearing back from committee members. As was stated previously, there are processes that should be followed. There is a way of doing business. The committee should have an opportunity to interrogate and ask the questions they need answers to. All that is not to say there is nothing to see here. This controversy points to a deeper systemic issue in Ireland, which is the governance structures of our State agencies. We need to interrogate those structures and ask if they are sufficiently aligned with the expectations of their sectors and if accountability measures are fit for purpose. Farmers deserve clarity on this and a governance structure that reflects the values Bord Bia is meant to uphold. While I cannot currently support the specific call in the motion to remove the chairperson, I support the need for serious scrutiny and reform across our agrifood agencies. We need Government agencies that people and workers can trust. Farmers have done their part and it is time the Government did its part.

Sentiment score: -0.00