Opening on Mercosur this Tuesday at the Irish Farmers' Association's (IFA) AGM, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon described farmer and consumer anger as "entirely understandable" given that beef using hormones banned in the EU entered the Irish market last year.

It was then recalled by the European Commission.

Irrespective of the European Parliament's vote, Minister Heydon said: "It is my intention to ensure that commitments that have been made by the European Commission in terms of stepping up checks and audits (of third country food production) are honoured."

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Speaking on the proposed cut in CAP funding, Heydon said: "I do believe complacency has crept in across Europe when it comes to food security," clarifying that "it's not something that we've ever taken for granted in this country, due to our history".

Minister Heydon stated his ambition to improve the CAP budget.

"We hold the presidency of the EU this year from July onwards and it's my intention to make progress on these reforms," he said.

'Weaponised' directives

Asked about concerns relating to the habitats directive, the Minister said: "I was in an online call today with EPP ministers for agriculture and EPP ministers for environment, where we had a joint meeting around the need for looking at the likes of the habitats directive, the water framework directive and the nitrates directive. I pointed out how these directives are being interpreted and how they're being weaponised."

IFA environment chair John Murphy called for no rank and selection to be in operation for the nutrient storage section of TAMS.

The Minister replied: "There is a finite amount of money and I have to manage that money through to 2027. I have to make decisions and if everything is a priority, then nothing is a priority."

In relation to a question from Macra president Josephine O'Neill, he said: "The greatest instrument we have for generational renewal is our taxation system."

Mercosur

Paying tribute to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister Heydon's efforts on Mercosur, Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae described accusations that the Government had not done enough on the Mercosur deal as "blatant lies", clarifying that he was not referring to the IFA.

Minister of State Noel Grealish spoke of his pride at the recognition of the quality of Irish food when he is abroad, "passing every inspection" made by vets in those countries.

Timmy Dooley said the Mercosur negotiations were "a political process, a diplomatic process" and that "it wouldn't be for me, or any government minister, to be shouting or roaring in recent months. That's a job for opposition."

He also said: "We can't be blind to the opportunities presented to other sectors of the economy by Mercosur."

"If we don't see all the government's MEPs voting against Mercosur, we'll feel let down," replied Francie Gorman.

On the issue of a level playing pitch, IFA environment chair John Murphy remarked: "I doubt there's a CBAM in Argentina or Brazil."