Ciarán Mullooly: EU Livestock Decline and Trade Risks
Ciarán Mullooly, MEP, addresses the European Parliament on livestock, food security and the risks posed by the incoming EU-Mercosur trade agreement. He warns that declining livestock numbers, market volatility and animal disease are placing severe strain on farm incomes and Europe’s capacity to produce food.
Main argument
Ciarán Mullooly argues that livestock production remains central to quality, nutrition and food security in Europe. He urges the debate be led by facts and science, and stresses respect for both part-time and full-time farmers when considering innovation and regulation.
Pressures on farmers
The speech outlines key pressures: increasing regulation, market volatility, animal disease and falling livestock numbers. Mullooly highlights how disease and market turbulence are already harming vulnerable farm incomes across the EU.
Trade agreement concerns
Mullooly raises specific concern about the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which he says comes into effect despite this House not yet approving it. He warns the agreement will expose EU farmers to unfair competition and lower standards, not speculation but a real danger for producers.
Statistics and risks
Citing Eurostat, Mullooly stresses that livestock numbers in the EU are declining at an alarming rate and notes that in Ireland the drop approaches almost 1 million livestock. Without action, he warns, Europe risks losing critical production capacity.
Policy implications
The MEP calls for evidence-based policy and innovation that protect farmers and food security, and for urgent measures to stabilise markets and support farm incomes. The address frames livestock as an essential part of Europe’s food system that requires targeted, factual responses from legislators and commissioners.
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Hey colleagues, let's be honest about it. As human beings, we have all long benefited from meat consumption. Livestock production has stood the test of time because it delivers for quality, nutrition and, face it, food security in Europe. But we must remove emotion from this debate. Innovation has a place, but it must be based on facts, science and respect for farmers, the part-time ones and the full-time farmers, Minister and Commissioner. This report outlines the real pressures – regulation, market volatility, animal disease and declining livestock numbers. Disease alone is placing huge strain on already vulnerable farm incomes. Market turbulence is now a defining challenge. The EU-Merckxer trade agreement, which comes in tomorrow despite our democratic decision in this House not to approve it yet, will oppose EU farmers to unfair competition and lower standards. This is not speculation. If we are serious about food security, livestock must remain central to our system. Eurostat is clear, Commissioner. Livestock numbers in the EU are declining at an alarming rate and in Ireland alone it is almost 1 million livestock. Without action, we risk losing our capacity.
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