Ciaran Mullooly

Canada doesn't want full membership, Europe hasn't really defined what an associate membership actually means, and Donald Trump has already warned of serious tariffs if he regards the move as hostile.

Now, Ciarán Mullooly is an independent Ireland MEP here at the National Ploughing Championships.

Good morning.

Good morning, Will, and good to see you in the flesh for a change.

Now, the EU is looking at forging a much closer relationship with Canada, but what impact might that have on Irish farmers already concerned about competition from overseas? And with the budget approaching, fuel and input costs biting, and battles over cap and Mercosur, what are the biggest issues facing Irish farming right now? Now, we've been joined here in the RTE tent at the ploughing by two Midlands Northwest MEPs and members of the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, Fine Gael's Maria Walsh and Independent Ireland's Ciarán Mullooly.

You're both very welcome.

Thanks for coming in.

We need support for farming.

OK, on that note, at the ploughing, we'll have to leave it there.

Maria Walsh, Fine Gael MEP for Midlands North West, and Ciarán Mullooly, Independent Ireland MEP for Midlands North West.

Many thanks for joining us today.