Warning on EU rules for state aid to farming

SEANAD REPORT:THE GOVERNMENT would have to face the issue of compensating those affected by the difficulties in the pigmeat sector because there was a question of regulatory failure, said Eugene Regan (FG).

The Taoiseach had said we would be looking to Brussels on the issue of compensation, but the reality was that Mr Cowen and the Government knew the rules concerning state aid in the agricultural sector in Europe, and they knew their own responsibility in dealing with this type of emergency in helping farmers, processors, retailers and, eventually, consumers.

Mr Regan said there was also an issue of whether the division of responsibility between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture’s veterinary division was appropriate. He urged that this matter be addressed by the Minister in the special debate on the food crisis due to take place today.

Jim Walsh (FF) said in time there would be a need to ascertain “all the circumstances that gave rise to this”.

If there had been any derogation from responsible management, either in the private or the public sector, it must be brought to light, and appropriate action must be taken against those who had given rise to what had happened.

Terry Leyden (FF) said a very difficult situation was being made a lot worse by the British media, particularly the tabloids which had been running headlines referring to toxic or poisoned pork.

He said it was very hard to believe that producers would actually buy from a recycling plant.

“I am quite appalled.” He would like a statement about this recycling plant. “I understand they threw the wrappings of the actual bread into the mix. What you put in, you get out. Have we not learned from the bone meal contamination? Where were the inspectors to inspect this recycling plant?”

A major diplomatic offensive should be mounted. He had been trade minister in the 1990s when BSE had struck. “We brought in vets from Iran and elsewhere to prove how good the quality of food in this country was. This is a national emergency, the most serious challenge we have faced in this country. It needs decisive action. Our embassies throughout the world have to be put on standby and work with the media.”

There should be a proper media offensive to combat the scaring of customers, added Mr Leyden.

Alan Kelly (Lab) said at the very least the Government should be making it clear that organic pork was 100 per cent safe.

With the assistance of Opposition colleagues Joe O’Toole (Ind) began to carry out a threat to be as disruptive as possible to make it impossible to run business normally this week in the House.

He said it was absolutely outrageous that Seanad leader Donie Cassidy was proposing to drop the Order of Business from next Friday’s sitting, similar to action that had been taken last week. This amounted to muzzling and censoring members. It would prevent them from articulating their views about issues of the day.

He intended to take the matter up with the Taoiseach.

A series of challenges to yesterday’s business arrangements saw six separate votes being taken, delaying the scheduled proceedings by more than an hour.