"There is no point in spending money on trying to sell Irish beef on international markets when the leader of the country is advocating eating less of it," ICSA suckler chair John Halley has said.

“The Taoiseach has yet to admit that he made a major gaffe in undermining Irish beef, both in terms of climate change and in terms of health."

He says Varadkar's comments come at a time when the threats from Brexit and ideologically motivated reports are adding to the pressures already caused by low prices.

We would also question how eating products such as quinoa, tofu, soya and avocados is good for climate change when they involve flying food all over the planet

"The recent EAT Lancet report refers to the WTO studies which did not establish a link between red meat and cancer, but a slightly increased risk involving processed meats probably due to added salt, nitrites, etc," Halley said.

"We would also question how eating products such as quinoa, tofu, soya and avocados is good for climate change when they involve flying food all over the planet and impacting badly on local environments and communities."

The ICSA is calling on the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to insist that there are no mixed messages from the Government.

"We need emergency intervention ready to go if the UK goes ahead with a no-deal Brexit. There is no room for any equivocation on the Government's behalf at this time of crisis for the sector."

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Lancet report strongly rebuffed by agri-industry

€2.50/kg no-deal Brexit beef price