Trade deals must strike the right balance between protection for sensitive products, such as beef, and increased market access for exported goods, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said.

Minister McConalogue told an informal meeting of EU agricultural ministers that trade agreements must be balanced and based on through analysis and assessment.

“Throughout the Mercosur negotiations, we consistently called for the [European] Commission’s 2016 study of cumulative impacts to be updated in relation to sensitive products,” he said.

“Market access offers to countries currently engaged in negotiations with the EU should be fully informed by the findings of this updated study, which will be published shortly.”

Level playing field

McConalogue also insisted that there needs to be a level playing field, particularly in relation to the environmental sustainability of production systems in the EU and its trading partners.

“With regard to Mercosur, I want to emphasise my concerns once again about the negative impact on the agriculture sector, and in particular on the beef sector. It is also very important that the sustainability chapter of the agreement is respected and rigorously enforced,” he said.

Throughout the exchange of views on Monday afternoon, several ministers highlighted the need for a level playing field in EU trade deals, to ensure that European farmers are treated fairly.

Many emphasised the importance of importing agri food products from third countries only when they respect the same high environmental and sustainability standards.

Study

Ministers were provided with a brief preview of the updated 2016 study conducted by the Joint Research Centre (JRC). It reflects the latest EU-negotiated agreements, including those with Mercosur, Canada, Japan, Vietnam and Mexico.

It is due to be published shortly.

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