“We must not allow the EU or this government to bury rural Ireland.”
Those were the words of Sinn Féin MEP, Chris MacManus, as he addressed the party’s Ard Fheis in Dublin on October 30th, 2021.
During his speech, the EU Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development member warned of an anti-agriculture agenda.
The Midlands Northwest MEP said, “it did not take long to work out that the positive rhetoric about thriving rural communities stands in stark contrast to the EU’s evident agenda of winding down the sector”.
He highlighted what he views as examples of the EU’s “disregard” for the agri-sector:
“Firstly budget – Since the 1980s, the CAP’s share of the EU budget has more than halved.”
“Every 7-year reform means deeper cuts. No matter what way you divide it when slicing, a shrinking cake will eventually result in everyone going hungry.”
MacManus also spoke of instances in trade negotiations where he believes “farmers were being used”.
He said the EU negotiators “dangle” the EU food market as a “deal sweetener” for trade partners.
“In the case of Brazil, this meant EU farmers could be forced to compete with 100,000t of cheap and low-quality beef, in exchange for Germany gaining a whole new Latin American market for BMWs and Mercedes.“
“Sinn Féin believes this agenda must be fought tooth and nail. It makes little sense for us to implement the highest food production standards if we are losing millions of farmers due to unprofitability.”
He said this would result in a small number of EU farmers producing quality beef with the bulk of what we consume being shipped from halfway across the world, where they “destroy the rainforest and show no regard for animal welfare in the process”.
Sinn Féin’s vision for agriculture
MacManus concluded by pledging his party’s commitment to a new farming future for rural Ireland.
He said the party has a vision for agriculture, which is:
- Firstly, environmentally sustainable;
- Allows it to continue to be the economic engine of rural economies;
- Lastly, provides the country with the best quality food in the world.
“I believe we owe it to the next generation to not allow the EU or, indeed, this government to bury rural Ireland,” he concluded.
