Concerns over new US trade deal with Europe

The European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom has said Ireland will not be flooded by hormone-treated beef thanks to strict import conditions under the new US trade deal with Europe.

Speaking at the Oireachtas European Unions Affairs Committee, Fianna Fáil senator Terry Leyden suggested that Americans would “flood Ireland with cheap hormone-fed beef”.

The commissioner said it was the view of member states that such beef was banned. Under the trade deal, there would be strict controls whereby there could be two production lines in the US, as is currently the trade agreement it has with Canada.