A delegation from the Irish Farmers Journal and the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) have been invited to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture to discuss the findings of their recent Brazilian beef exposé.

The investigation, which took place in Brazil, included the purchase of antibiotics and growth hormones without prescription.

Deputy editor of the Irish Farmers Journal Adam Woods will address the committee, which is made up of both Dáil and Seanad representatives.

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The meeting of the committee will take place on Tuesday 9 December at 11am.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, committee cathaoirleach Aindrias Moynihan TD welcomed the Irish Farmers Journal and IFA representatives.

He said the engagement will focus on the proposed EU-Mercosur draft trade agreement, particularly the use of antibiotics and growth hormones in beef production.

Findings

“We will discuss with those attending before the committee the findings arising from the report of the IFA in the Farmers Journal on the use of antibiotics and growth hormones in beef production in one of the Mercosur countries.

“Under the proposed EU-Mercosur draft trade deal, Mercosur countries would be allowed to export beef to the EU at reduced tariffs.

“The report has found that beef production in the Mercosur country visited by the investigation team involves the unregulated use of antibiotics, a practice that is banned in the EU, and the use of growth hormones, use of which is also banned in the production of beef in the EU.

“Irish and EU farmers are subject to stricter EU regulations and must adhere to higher quality standards, which does not apply to the producers of beef in Mercosur, and we want to see what mechanisms, protections can be put in place to protect the agriculture sector and the citizens of the EU,” he added.