The Irish Grain Growers Group has questioned if Irish farmers can justify feeding imported feed from South America in light of the revelations made in last week’s Irish Farmers Journal investigation.

The investigation revealed that prescription-only medicines for cattle could be easily bought in Brazil with no prescription, herd number or ID.

“Not for the first time, we have highlighted the fact that well in excess of three quarters of a million tonne of feedstuffs arrive in to Irish ports from Mercosur countries annually now to feed our Irish livestock,” the IGGG said.

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“We have seen politicians, farm bodies, MEPs, etc, raising genuine concerns about the Mercosur deal on the back of the findings.

“However, Irish tillage farmers find it somewhat hypocritical that little or no mention is given to the fact that our livestock industry has no issue giving Mercosur feedstuffs to our livestock,” the group said, highlighting the different production standards used to produce that grain.

“Why should tillage farmers support their neighbours in opposing the Mercosur deal considering the current playing field for tillage farmers?” the IGGG said.