Irish farm organisations have slammed the EU’s plan for a Mercosur trade deal, following the revelation that a banned hormone was found in Brazilian beef imported into the EU.

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has called on Fine Geal leader Simon Harris to clarify where his party stands on the Mercosur trade deal, following a radio interview by Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty on Tuesday 2 December.

IFA president Francie Gorman said farmers would be “concerned” to hear her “speak in favour of the deal”.

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“The official position of the Irish Government has been that it is working to oppose the deal,” he added.

Gorman referenced the Programme for Government, which states: “Work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal.”

Gorman added that the recall of Brazilian beef by EU authorities in the last month is a very serious matter for the public health of European citizens.

“Regina Doherty made a great play of the work under way on safeguards, but this latest revelation shows they are redundant.

“The so-called safeguards make no reference to public health. The findings of the investigation carried out by the IFA and the Irish Farmers Journal last month bear out the complete lack of controls that exist in the production systems in Brazil.

“The EU authorities cannot have any faith in the control systems in Brazil. Ignoring this is putting public and consumer health at risk,” he said.

The IFA president said all imports should be stopped and food imports removed from the trade deal.

ICMSA reaction

President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) Denis Drennan said the scandal is “a taste of what’s to come”.

Drennan added that this revelation should focus intentions when it comes to upcoming votes to progress the deal.

“If this scandal serves no other purpose than to act as one last ‘red light’ that the [European] Commission wishes to blow through, then that’s fine.

“But everyone should remember what’s just happened and what it illustrates. The idea that these beef systems are just going to change overnight and suddenly discover proper regulated standards and traceability is frankly delusional. This is an entirely different beef production system to the EU,” he added.

The ICMSA president said there was a careful campaign under way to downplay the significance of beef imports from Mercosur countries.

“We need to remember that these are not going to be just your cheaper, lower-value cuts of beef; they will be higher-value steak products undermining sustainably produced beef in the EU and pushing our beef out of the premium markets that we have worked so hard to get into.

“Those who highlight the small volumes are being deliberately disingenuous. It’s not about the volumes; it’s about the fact that the presence of that beef acts as an ‘anchor’ holding back the price of our own superb and sustainably produced beef,” he said.

Drennan stated that if the deal proceeds, it will be a complete contradiction to the EU’s stance on environmentally sensitive farming and lowering emissions.

Drennan called on Irish MEPs and the Government to “stand tall” on this matter, not to be a “doormat” for other member states and ensure the EU rejects the trade agreement.

ICSA comment

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) president Sean McNamara said his organisation will not stand by while the Commission turns a blind eye to imports produced under conditions that would shut an Irish farmer down overnight.

McNamara added that he is appalled but not surprised that Brazilian beef coming into the EU has tested positive for banned hormones and that a recall has been issued.

“The EU has spent years and billions [of euros] telling people to eat healthy food and ensuring consumers can trust the safety of what’s on the shelf.

“What’s the point of all that if they now allow in beef that doesn’t meet even the most basic EU rules?

"This recall shows clearly that the EU cannot police how beef is produced in Brazil or any other South American country which is why beef must be removed from the Mercosur deal altogether,” he said.

McNamara said allowing in imports from Brazil “is hypocrisy, pure and simple”.

“If the deal is not scrapped altogether, then at the very minimum beef and poultry must be taken out of it completely.

“If this is what is already slipping through, the EU shouldn’t be allowing any Brazilian beef on our shelves, let alone opening the door to more under Mercosur,” he added.

The ICSA president said EU farmers have high standards of animal health, traceability, food safety and antimicrobial resistance.

“None of these are cornerstones of South American beef production and to say otherwise is a joke.

“The Commission cannot just ignore this reality. They are obliged at this point to protect consumers, protect public health and protect the family farms that uphold these standards every day. That has to come before any trade deal,” he added.