Imports of Brazil beef down

Marts: There has been a drop of 11% in the volume of beef imported into Ireland from Brazil for the first five months of 2007, while imports into the EU-15 increased by 10% during the same period.

Ireland imported 3,000 tonnes between January and May, which was 400 tonnes lower than for the January-May period in 2006, according to the latest information from SECEX.

There is concern among Irish livestock farmers over the impact of Brazilian exports to the EU on the community market for beef with Ireland a net exporter of 90% of annual production.