Growth hormones and traceability concerns in regard to cheap meat imports from Mercosur countries dominated the discussion during a committee hearing in Brussels on 18 November.

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development heard from a number of European farm bodies that were opposed to the trade deal as it currently stood.

The deal between the EU and the South American trade bloc was signed this summer and sparked controversy across European farm circles, where the feeling was that the deal would allow cheap meat imports to flood the European market.

Concerned parties pointed out the lack of traceability of meat from Brazil and the potential to harmfully impact the sensitive European beef price.

Steroids

Director of IFA European affairs Liam MacHale told the committee that Brazilian authorities had no way to sample male bovines for steroids.

He acknowledged that there were opportunities for the dairy industry in the deal, but said the negatives for the beef industry would outweigh any positives for dairy.

MacHale said that the IFA couldn’t support the Mercosur deal as it currently stood and that the €1bn fund promised by European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan to support farmers in the event of market upset needed to be distributed immediately.

Copa-Cogeca general secretary Pekka Pesonen said that farmers were facing double standards with the expected influx of cheap meat.

Poultry

The poultry industry is also expected to be hit by cheap imports.

President of ANVOL National Interprofessional Association of poultry meat Jean-Michel Schaeffer said that imports of poultry meat could completely distort the European market.

He pointed out that the cost of poultry production was 24% lower in Brazil, which made competing on price very difficult.

He also pointed out the lack of similar standards, including salmonella testing and antibiotic usage.

Forestry

A number of speakers also raised concerns over sustainability and deforestation. They said that the agreement needed to be amended to put sustainability to the forefront and that it was unfair to insist European farmers meet stricter climate targets while cheap South American imports were not subject to achieving the same climate objectives.

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