Lets be clear about what happened on last night's #rtept. A man with extremist views that all livestock farming must end was invited on. If you're a farmer you heard this view & it confirmed every right wing conspiracy, every fear you've been fed about what 'environmentalists'

@rayofoghlu Primary source of soya & maize to Ireland is North America. Primary use of soya & maize imported to Ireland is pigs & poultry. But yes of the % that does go to cattle from deforested regions I support banning. I supported Deforestation Reg & disagreed with farm org opposition.

@rayofoghlu Perfectly happy to accept we have more work to do. But nothing, even the worst of our minority doing illegal land clearance could do in a year would match norm for Brazil. But hey its ok cos it's down to 'only' 515,300 hectares (official estimates which are normally under counts)

@rayofoghlu So we should ignore pro-deforestation propaganda? Or promote it? How is this any difference to the green washing with the paint on aviation yesterday except it's far far worse impact on biodiversity?

@rayofoghlu Finally mention of "protections" in the deal is laughable. Ending deforestation FROM 2030. A DG Sante assessments pointing out Mercosur production standards & traceability are insufficient to ensure products banned for use in food sold in EU can't be met. It's a propaganda piece

My latest for @AgrilandIreland about why Greens got a lot blame (and sometimes credit) for policy with much more going on, eg Farm2Fork's push for Organic, Carbon budget etc. Some farmers seem to think all problems are solved now they're out, I'm not sure

@conorcoleary At the very least AI companies in known TB areas need to stop promoting these bulls. A man not far from me down 3 times in the last few years, was never told by either AI or DAFM & was using low TB index bulls to rebuild!

So that's environmentalists, farmers and trade unionists all opposed to #Mercosur. The only interests it serves is large polluters, both car makers who want to continue selling fossil fuel based cars & extend the life of their factories, and deforestation beef. Wondeful

Farmer: What is the Mercosur trade deal and why are so many of us against it?

@1noeloconnor @conorcoleary @DarraghScott @sprinkles785 I've added all of ye I could find on there to the starter pack

@ZwartblesIE Growing fast, still a little lopsided but infinitely better than opposite slant on here

@sprinkles785 And succeeding...

@boucherhayes Way ahead of you: This will probably get me banned from here...

@LornaESixsmith Yes it's a lovely clear day isn't it 😂

this site was...once. If farmers don't make the jump sooner rather than later, we'll be left playing catch up. Anyway back to the other site...