The news from Brussels this week that a December deadline is being floated from within the European Commission as the likely time the Mercosur trade deal will be ratified will come as a worry to Irish farmers.

It had been hoped that it would be 2026 before ratification would take place, but it’s understood now that it is a top priority for the Commission for completion before the end of the year.

There has been very little mention of the Mercosur trade deal in Brazil this week at the World Meat Congress, with the South American view being that the deal is done, now move on.

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Ireland was well represented at the conference, with Bord Bia, Meat Industry Ireland, IFA and ABP all having delegates in Brazil. Proponents of the Mercosur trade deal continue to play down the significance for European beef farmers.

Some speakers pointed to the fact that the EU market will need the imports to plug the hole left by declining production within the European block.

Others pointed to a decimation of the European steak market if the imported South American beef is in the form of high value steak cuts.

US president Donald Trump also came in for criticism in Brazil for his introduction of illegal tariffs changing the world order for trade and leaving institutions like the WTO almost irrelevant when it comes to international trade.