Irish hopes for EU-US trade accord hard to realise

Ireland’s hope that a trade agreement with the US will open up a lucrative public procurement market in exchange for some concessions on beef may be difficult to achieve, a US expert has warned.

While Irish farmers are hoping their markets will not be flooded with US produce, opening up Europe for food including beef is a priority for the American negotiators according to an EU official and farm expert.

Negotiations are proving tough, with the EU representing the member states but forbidden under the terms of the talks to reveal US position papers to the member states.