Two recent reports, one by MEPs on the European Parliament Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the other by DG SANTE, found that Brazilian beef does not have the same traceability standards as EU produce. As a result of these reports, it is crystal clear that the Mercosur countries are failing to meet EU standards on fundamental issues of food safety and traceability. There is no real prospect of the EU being able to impose these standards in respect of South American beef. The Government needs to be strong on this to protect the consumer and the producer. In the interests of food safety, will Ireland take steps to ensure that South American beef is excluded from the Mercosur trade deal?

The Government has been clear on any future trade deal with Mercosur countries, as indeed has the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. They have sought to ensure that if trade take place in future, it happens on the basis of a level playing field and such that the volumes are controlled to recognise the importance of the Irish beef industry throughout the European Union.