EU denies increasing Mercosur beef offer to 99,000t
Sources have reported an increase in the South American beef imports the EU would be prepared to take in to clinch a trade deal with Mercosur countries, but the European Commission has denied this.
File photo: European Commissioners for Agriculture Phil Hogan (left) and Trade Cecilia Malmström (right). \ Erika Villano
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The European federation of farming organisations COPA-COGECA monitoring trade talks between the EU and Mercosur has warned that the European Commission was moving to increase its offer to 99,000t of additional beef imports from the region.
South American media have also reported the increased offer. A Commission spokesperson contacted by the Irish Farmers Journal did not confirm it. Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen said this Wednesday that Tuesday's ministerial meeting between EU and Mercosur representatives was "constructive" and talks would continue between negotiators on Friday.
A Commission source told the Irish Farmers Journal that other issues remained to be resolved before any updated offer could be made.
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'Unacceptable'
“Over 75% of our beef imports – 246, 000t – already come from these countries and it is unacceptable that the EU has increased its offer in return for concessions in other sectors," said COPA-COGECA's beef working party chairman Jean-Pierre Fleury. "With 52% of Irish beef destined for the UK market, we cannot put further pressure on the EU beef market in a trade pact with the Latin American countries.”
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Title: EU denies increasing Mercosur beef offer to 99,000t
Sources have reported an increase in the South American beef imports the EU would be prepared to take in to clinch a trade deal with Mercosur countries, but the European Commission has denied this.
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The European federation of farming organisations COPA-COGECA monitoring trade talks between the EU and Mercosur has warned that the European Commission was moving to increase its offer to 99,000t of additional beef imports from the region.
South American media have also reported the increased offer. A Commission spokesperson contacted by the Irish Farmers Journal did not confirm it. Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen said this Wednesday that Tuesday's ministerial meeting between EU and Mercosur representatives was "constructive" and talks would continue between negotiators on Friday.
A Commission source told the Irish Farmers Journal that other issues remained to be resolved before any updated offer could be made.
'Unacceptable'
“Over 75% of our beef imports – 246, 000t – already come from these countries and it is unacceptable that the EU has increased its offer in return for concessions in other sectors," said COPA-COGECA's beef working party chairman Jean-Pierre Fleury. "With 52% of Irish beef destined for the UK market, we cannot put further pressure on the EU beef market in a trade pact with the Latin American countries.”
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