The IFA is to meet with the European Commissioner responsible for meat import standards Vytenis Andriukaitis in the wake of the EU-Mercosur trade deal.

The meeting with EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Andriukaitis will be one of several attended by an IFA delegation to Brussels on Wednesday 10 July.

Opposed to Mercosur

President Joe Healy, livestock chair Angus Woods and poultry chair Andy Boylan will also meet with other farm leaders who are opposed to the Mercosur deal.

On Tuesday 9 July, the IFA will hold a lobby session of TDs and senators on the Mercosur deal.

Representatives from its 29 county executives will be in attendance, where they will be “highlighting the damage that this deal will do on a number of levels – to the rural economy here, to the global environment and to consumers”.

The event will take place in the Davenport Hotel in Dublin between 3pm and 5pm.

One burned every minute

As part of its campaign against the Mercosur deal, the IFA is highlighting the environmental damage done by beef production in Brazil with a slogan ‘One Burned Every Minute’. This is a reference to a recent BBC report which shows that the size of a football pitch in the rainforest is burned down every minute to clear ground for grazing and cattle ranching.

The IFA president said farmers expect politicians take a stronger stance. “What we have at the moment are bland assurances and very weak commitments about safeguarding Irish farmers. It’s not enough.

"Either those in high office support Irish farmers or they don’t. The time for sitting on the fence is over,” he said.

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IFA to meet EU commissioner responsible for meat import standards

The IFA is to meet with the European commissioner responsible for overseeing meat import standards and other farm leaders opposed to the Mercosur deal.