Conor D McGuinness slams plan to allow hormone-treated beef

Conor D McGuinness criticised Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and independents for preparing to open the door to beef produced with hormones, banned antibiotics and linked to deforestation. He said the move destroys trust and urged the minister to restore confidence in Borbea rather than protect what he called "the indefensible".

Allegations of policy change

He accused Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and independents of preparing to allow imports or production of beef produced with hormones, banned antibiotics and with links to deforestation, calling that approach hypocritical and obvious to farmers.

Impact on farmers and trust

He said farmers can see the hypocrisy clearly and that trust has been destroyed because people can see it, using the phrase "they can smell the bull" to underline his point.

Direct appeal to the minister

He told the minister that they have the power to end the course of action immediately and to restore confidence in Borbea, or alternatively to continue to protect what he described as indefensible practices.

Tone and consequence

The speech framed the issue as a test of credibility and institutional trust, presenting a choice for the minister between restoring confidence in Borbea or maintaining a contested policy direction that the speaker says farmers reject.