Speaking to an Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Europe, Macra na Feirme president James Healy called the EU’s efforts to secure a trade pact with South America’s Mercosur bloc grossly irresponsible and called for a full impact assessment of all EU trade deals.

He said: ‘‘The mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles of our members are outside protesting with the IFA over beef access into the EU under Mercosur. Macra na Feirme supports them in their efforts to highlight the absolutely detrimental effect this would have on Irish and European beef farming.

‘‘Negotiating a trade deal with South American countries which has such a potential negative effect on our largest indigenous industry is grossly irresponsible especially when the effects of Brexit are still unknown.’’

Macra na Feirme recognises the importance of successful EU trade deals, but such deals should not be made at the cost of sacrificing agriculture. The organisation believes that a full impact assessment on all trade deals, current and prospective, must be undertaken before any deal is agreed on Mercosur.

Balance

Healy continued: ‘‘We need balanced trade deals that benefit European and Irish farmers; trade deals that recognise the threats and effects of Brexit. Entering into a Mercosur with such a large quantity of the EU beef market available to countries that do not meet equivalent European standards is reckless.’’