A double boost for our cattle prospects

THERE was renewed optimism in the cattle sector over the past week with the news that beef imports from the big South American countries like Brazil and Argentina would not be included in the current trade deal being negotiated.

Proposals for the introduction of a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) have now been dropped in the trade deal negotiations between the EU and what are known as the Mercosur countries – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.

IFA President, Joe Healy, said that the IFA had been to the forefront in objecting to the inclusion of beef in the Mercosur deal with the matter being raised at EU Commission shortly after his election as president.

“The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan must be very strong and make it clear to Commissioner Malmstrom that there is no justification for re-introducing beef into the Mercosur negotiations at any stage.

“Beef is a vital national interest for Ireland and under no circumstances can we allow the EU Commission to use it as the bargaining chip in the Mercosur negotiations,” said Joe Healy.

East Galway Fine Gael TD, Ciaran Cannon, said that he warmly welcomed the news as Ireland had always been to the forefront in highlighting the concerns of any beef deal in the Mercosur talks.

“The very serious negative impact of Mercosur on our beef sector has been raised with me on numerous occasions by farmers across Co. Galway and by the IFA locally.

“I hope and expect that the required time will now be made available to allow the completion of the required impact assessment by the Commission, and that the findings will be fully taken into account when the negotiations move into their next phase.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.