Ireland’s commitment to free trade was a key talking point at Wednesday's open policy debate for the Agri-Food Strategy to 2030 in the Aviva stadium, Dublin.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, deputy director of DG Agri Michael Scannell said Ireland had to remain committed to trade.

He added: “I can't emphasise strongly enough that trade needs to be fair, we need to have a level playing field and we need a very rigorous implementation of standards.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Standards

Also speaking at the event, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Mercosur deal would be bad for the beef sector.

However, he said any imported product had to meet the EU's safety and traceability standards.

The Taoiseach said in two years’ time, Ireland might find itself with two trade deals on the table - one with Mercosur and the other with the UK.

“We don't want to be in a position where we're arguing for one and against the other, where we potentially win the battle on Mercosur, but lose the war, when it comes to the UK market.

"And that's why we have got to box clever on this and think politically and smartly.”