I would like to be associated with the congratulations to my constituency colleague Senator Nicole Ryan on the recent birth of her baby. I wish her, her partner and her new child all the very best.

An incredibly important decision by the EU Commission was announced yesterday. From 3 September 2026, Brazilian agricultural imports, including beef, honey, eggs and poultry, will not be allowed into the European Union. This is the result of a decision showing that Brazil is not compliant with EU standards for the use of antimicrobials and antibiotics. It is important to note in terms of the Mercosur agreement, which has provisionally been in place since 1 May, that Brazil is the only one of the four Mercosur countries that has been found to be non-compliant. This acknowledgement is a great step forward. This is what Ireland has been saying. It is what our Minister for agriculture has been saying. I take this opportunity to commend the Irish Farmers Association and the Irish Farmers Journal on an investigation they carried out last year. They went to Brazil and saw just how easily accessible antibiotics are for use in animals. It is very important that when we are looking at our food produce, we do not have use of antimicrobials or antibiotics. We have a growing problem across the world with antimicrobial resistance and this decision is incredibly important in that regard. It shows the strength of the EU at it stands behind its standards and ensures it does not let substandard produce into the European Union and Ireland.

As a country, we are a fantastic producer of beef and produce some of the best beef in the world. We gain massively from the European market. However, we want fair standards and that is why I welcome this decision. I would appreciate it if we could ask the Minister for trade or the Minister for agriculture to come to the House to discuss this decision and the implications it will have.