
Peadar Tóibín to introduce Equitable Beef Pricing Bill to Dáil today
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD will introduce the Equitable Beef Pricing Bill to the Dáil at lunchtime today.
Ahead of introducing the Bill, An Teachta Tóibín stated:
"Aontú has been to the fore in supporting fair treatment and fair prices for beef farmers across the country.
"It is clear that the beef industry, as it currently constituted, is unsustainable. Beef farmers are selling their produce at below cost prices while a collection of processors and supermarkets multiples make astounding profits on the same product.
"In the current climate Irish agriculture is already facing great uncertainty and challenges, not least Phil Hogan's EU-Mercosur trade deal that will pave the way for the importation of cheap South American beef into the EU market. We are determined to stand up for Irish farmers who are already struggling to make a living as it stands. We are determined to stand up for economic justice.
"Aontú's Equitable Beef Pricing Bill aims to ensure that farmers will be given at least a break-even price for their produce. This is a very moderate proposition that is concerned with doing what is right by the Irish farming community and rural Ireland in general.
"We have been told by other parties that they will support the Aontú Bill. We hope that they stand by that commitment and work with us to see the Bill's passage into law."