DEAR SIR: It is disappointing to see beef quota included in the Mercosur trade deal at a time when the Irish beef industry is at a crossroads. Will the imported beef be produced to the same standard as European beef?

While trade in general will be the norm for countries, it will be difficult for beef farmers in Ireland to keep on producing beef if this trade deal is not changed to exclude it.

The recent idea of giving farmers in Ireland a payment with a clause to reduce beef does not make sense. Reducing beef production in the EU to replace it with other countries the other side of the world is bizarre.

With all the regulations, be it slurry storage or environment issues that European beef has to maintain, it does not make sense to be importing beef into Europe

I also see that a fund will be set up to help beef farmers adjust to Mercosur beef imports. How will that work? Will there be a beef reduction clause with that similar to the recent beef fund?

With all the regulations, be it slurry storage or environment issues that European beef has to maintain, it does not make sense to be importing beef into Europe.

You would wonder if this is the reason that the powers that be were promoting the idea of beef farmers converting to dairy?

Also with Mercosur imports, where does that leave quality assurance schemes such as Bord Bia? Between Brexit and the Mercosur trade deal, the beef sector really is facing an uphill struggle.

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