Taoiseach urged to protect beef industry at EU trade talks
It follows fears by the IFA that the Irish and European livestock sector could be seriously damaged in trade talks.
These are ongoing between the European Union and Mercosur, a trade bloc of South American countries Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
The negotiations began in May 2010. Nine rounds have since taken place. Until now the rounds have focused on rules.
But the two regions are also working on the preparation of market access offers. No date has been set yet for the exchange of these offers.
This has led to the IFA calling on the Taoiseach to intervene on behalf of the Government to stop any exchange of offers.
Eddie Downey, president, said it is feared the EU Commission will make a substantial offer on agriculture and market access during the lull period between the European elections and the establishment of the new Parliament in Brussels.
“There is a very real threat that an attempt will be made to bypass the system and urgent intervention is required at the highest political level,” he said.
Mr Downey warned that the Irish and European beef and livestock sector could be exposed to major import volumes of cheaper beef from South America and particularly the major exporter, Brazil. There are also significant implications for the pig and poultry sectors.
Ulster Farmers’ Union president Ian Marshall also warned that the reopening of EU/Mercosur negotiations could have serious repercussions for the Northern Ireland beef industry.
“No one is opposed to international trade deals. I think farmers realise the global opportunities that are potentially available to our industry.
“But it is trade deals negotiated on an uneven playing field and which sacrifice agriculture that we can’t support,” he said.
Mr Marshall said more than 70% of the beef and poultry meat imported by the EU is from Mercosur countries.
This is not subject to the same high health, welfare and traceability standards expected of EU farmers.
“An EU trade deal has already been agreed with Canada, which offered up a sizeable chunk of the EU beef market.
“Negotiations are already under way with the United States who recently opened the doors to EU beef and I’m sure will be looking for the favour returned.
“Add Mercosur into the mix and we could have a perfect storm which could ultimately wreak havoc on Northern Ireland’s beef industry,” he said.
