The hormone-free and non-use of citric acid in factories is making the EU an unattractive market for Canadian farmers, despite the new tariff-free quota agreed under CETA. A delegation from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) was in Dublin this week where it held a number of meetings with Teagasc, Bord Bia and the IFA.

IFA livestock chair Angus Woods said after the meeting that the CCA explained it was difficult to get ranchers on to the non-hormone programme as they give up to a 20% value advantage. He also emphasised the need for any Canadian imports to comply with EU production standards.

With Canadian farmers receiving the equivalent of €4.50/kg for similar steers to our R3 and with widespread access to several global markets closed to Ireland, it is clear that the EU market isn’t particularly attractive at present.

Irish farmers have had a lift in prices in recent weeks with the average R3 steer now €3.95/kg in the last week of April. This is, however, 55c/kg behind the Canadian price.

Listen: Canadian beef farmers unhappy with CETA

EU market unattractive to Canadian beef farmers

With the market returning 55c/kg more than Ireland and access to hormones which are worth another 20%, the EU isn't an attractive market for Canada at present.