Beef industry fears transatlantic trade deal could impact Irish agriculture

The European Commissioner for Trade has played down concerns being expressed about the impact of any trade deal between the EU and US on Irish Agriculture.

The beef industry fears that a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership deal would see Europe flooded with American beef.

Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom is in Dublin today for meetings with Jobs Minister Richard Bruton.

She says the beef industry does not need to be concerned.

"On the beef, I know this is a very sensitive issue in this country, it has just been accepted again (to) the market in the US - which we welcome - but we are aware of the sensitivities" she said.

"And even if we aim to eliminate basically all tariffs, there are a few sensitivities from the EU side and from the American side where we still need to make exceptions" she added.