Drystock farmers to lose out to increased imports in EU plans for 12 trade agreements

It is envisaged sheep meat imports from Australia and New Zealand would result in sheep prices in the EU falling by 1.9% to 3.1%

Beef cattle prices in the EU could fall by 2.4%, if the Mercosur trade agreement is ratified.  File Picture.  

Beef cattle prices in the EU will fall by 2.4%, if the Mercosur trade agreement is ratified, according to the latest assessment by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Commission’s science and knowledge service.

Under the provisional agreement with the Mercosur countries in South America, the EU will allow 99,000 tonnes of beef to enter its market, with a 7.5% import duty.