Michael Fitzmaurice: Urgent warning on Brazilian beef antibiotics
Michael Fitzmaurice warns that a recent European classification has flagged Brazilian beef as problematic due to antibiotic residues and calls on the Irish government, MEPs and the FSAI to act. He criticises Ursula von der Leyen for delaying a ban until September and urges immediate national statements and intervention.
New European classification and health concerns
Michael Fitzmaurice outlines recent news that Brazilian beef has been categorised in Europe as not fit for purpose because of antibiotic residues. He reiterates previous warnings he and Ciarán Mullooly raised months ago and stresses that this is a public health issue, not a trade technicality.
Pressure on national bodies and MEPs
Fitzmaurice calls on the Irish government, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and Irish MEPs to demand action and issue clear public statements. He argues that national governments must not wait for Brussels and that MEPs should push to delay acceptance of imports until concerns are resolved.
Concerns about trade policy and market effects
The speech links the problem to wider trade dynamics, referencing Mercosur discussions and imports from Brazil, New Zealand and Australia. Fitzmaurice warns these imports are suppressing domestic cattle prices and says evidence of growth promoters and antibiotic residues undermines European standards.
Implications for farmers and consumers
Fitzmaurice frames the controversy as both a risk to consumer health and an unfair pressure on Irish farmers. He demands that authorities stop closing their eyes, enforce standards and defend the public and the domestic livestock sector.
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I'm sure many of you have read yesterday the news, not that it's anything new, we flagged it a few months ago, Ciarán Molyneux and myself, in relation to the Brazilian beef and the dangers of it. And it's now proved once again, it's put on a list in Europe, basically, not good stuff to be going near, to put it simple, as a category it's put into. But still Ursula von der Leyen wants to give them until September before they're banned. I think there's an onus on national governments, there's an onus on all our MEPs now, bear in mind we always said there was a bit to go on this, bear in mind we always said that there is two votes. It's time our governments right across Europe, and indeed the Irish government, and where is the FSAI, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, where are they in relation to basically putting out a statement with what has developed over the last number of days. This is the health of people, what we talked about last January in Athlón, when people criticised us and said, oh this should be all over, this is all over, well there's a lot of water to go under the bridge yet. Ciarán Malouly, I spoke to him today, they need, and all our MEPs, need to start contacting MEPs right across Europe, and when this last vote comes this needs to be kicked to touch as we said three to four months ago. But now the Irish government, and indeed the FSAI, should be coming out making a very clear statement about the dangers of what's coming into this country, and indeed the whole of Europe. Are they going to be still continuing to close their eyes, or are they going to finally wake up and be forced into it? Because what has been proved so far is very clearly that the residue of antibiotics is in no way compliant. We said this all along, we stated that growth promoters were being used, but no, they decided they wanted to drive on, because they wanted to see MEPs and other stuff going across to Brazil. Now it's time for all governments, right, and our Minister for Agriculture needs to get in line with this, and the FSAI, and I am calling on the FSAI to come out and make a statement, because it has been categorised yesterday in Europe as basically not fit for purpose. Are the people that stood up and wanted Mercosur deal to go forward, are they happy now that it has been, you know, categorically proven that the stuff that's coming in from Brazil has a lot of antibiotics in it? It is not in line with what Europe required, but Ursula von der Leyen still continues to basically close her eyes to this danger. And bear in mind one thing that has happened over the last few months, Brazilian beef is coming into the UK as well, New Zealand beef is coming in and Australian beef is coming in. An orchestrated effort has been made to keep dropping the prices of cattle in this country. But let everyone think out there tonight, whether you're never near a farm, or whether you live on a farm. If you went to a factory today with an animal that had a sore leg, or in any ways not right, they would be put into the bin. But it's okay for cattle or meat, beef to be sent from a third country into Europe that's full of antibiotics and they'll close their eyes. Time Europe wakes up, time our MEPs start shouting, and time that our government starts standing up for the people in this country. Thank you.
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