Agri-business sectors split on impacts of EU-US trade talks
IFA president Eddie Downey said that when agricultural imports from the US are factored into the Copenhagen Economics report on the trade deal, agriculture sector gains are marginal.
“Our Government must guard against selling out our vital beef and white meats sectors for potential gains in other areas that may not materialise,” said Mr Downey.
“The Government must immediately get involved in the negotiations to ensure the threats to the beef, pork, and poultry identified from a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership deal are addressed with limited tariff reductions, quantities allowed in, and most importantly that equivalence of standards apply in any final deal.”
Ibec said the economy would gain from the deal, with GDP rising 1.1%, a €2bn rise. The employers’ group says exports would rise 4% and US investment 1.5%. However, it also warns of risks to Irish agriculture.
Ibec’s Pat Ivory said: “The pharmaceutical, information and communications technology, insurance and med-tech sectors are expected to make strong gains. Although the dairy and processed food sector also stand to benefit, the effects which this will have on the beef sector are still unclear.”
ICSA president Patrick Kent said one sector was being traded off against the other.
“The beef industry stands to lose €25m to €50m a year due to increased competition from the US,” said Mr Kent. “It is intolerable that the beef sector would be hung out to dry for the benefit of other sectors.”
