Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said this Sunday that "the deal isn't a deal until it's signed off" and there are opportunities to obtain concessions in the next two years as the European Commission drafts the full agreement agreed in principle with Mercosur countries on Friday.
"It is a bad deal for the beef sector," Minister Creed told RTÉ Radio 1, but he added: "We're not without allies across Europe."
IFA livestock chair Angus Woods. \ Dave Ruffles
IFA livestock chair Angus Woods told the same programme that at least 11 countries would share Ireland's concerns.
"We need the minister to get out there to Brussels, meet his counterparts and push back severely on this," he said.
Minister Creed explained that the finalised agreement would go to the council of trade ministers, where a qualified majority vote operates.
While this means Ireland does not have a veto, it can seek support from other countries.
The minister also indicated that the Oireachtas would have a say: "No member state and no national parliament has yet ratified it," he said.
There are many ways in which we can thwart the volumes
Until then, work on the detail of the deal, including the mix of products included in the 99,000t of additional South American beef imports, measurements in carcase or product weight and sanitary rules, will offer chances to "extract the maximum number of concessions", Minister Creed said.
"There are many ways in which we can thwart the volumes if the volume itself is not conceded."
Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson Charlie McConalogue TD. \ Evan Logan
Also on RTÉ Radio 1, Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson Charlie McConalogue TD said the Government had been "asleep at the wheel" and "very weak" in highlighting Irish opposition to the European Commission prior to Friday.
He also accused Government-appointed Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan of being "central to the deal".
Minister Creed replied: "I appreciate Commissioner Hogan is getting some flak on this thing, but I would add that the original ask was 300,000t from the Mercosur countries."
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Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said this Sunday that "the deal isn't a deal until it's signed off" and there are opportunities to obtain concessions in the next two years as the European Commission drafts the full agreement agreed in principle with Mercosur countries on Friday.
"It is a bad deal for the beef sector," Minister Creed told RTÉ Radio 1, but he added: "We're not without allies across Europe."
IFA livestock chair Angus Woods. \ Dave Ruffles
IFA livestock chair Angus Woods told the same programme that at least 11 countries would share Ireland's concerns.
"We need the minister to get out there to Brussels, meet his counterparts and push back severely on this," he said.
Minister Creed explained that the finalised agreement would go to the council of trade ministers, where a qualified majority vote operates.
While this means Ireland does not have a veto, it can seek support from other countries.
The minister also indicated that the Oireachtas would have a say: "No member state and no national parliament has yet ratified it," he said.
There are many ways in which we can thwart the volumes
Until then, work on the detail of the deal, including the mix of products included in the 99,000t of additional South American beef imports, measurements in carcase or product weight and sanitary rules, will offer chances to "extract the maximum number of concessions", Minister Creed said.
"There are many ways in which we can thwart the volumes if the volume itself is not conceded."
Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson Charlie McConalogue TD. \ Evan Logan
Also on RTÉ Radio 1, Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson Charlie McConalogue TD said the Government had been "asleep at the wheel" and "very weak" in highlighting Irish opposition to the European Commission prior to Friday.
He also accused Government-appointed Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan of being "central to the deal".
Minister Creed replied: "I appreciate Commissioner Hogan is getting some flak on this thing, but I would add that the original ask was 300,000t from the Mercosur countries."
Read more
EU beef farmers' chair vows to fight Mercosur deal 'every step of the way'
Time for Brussels and Dublin to come clean on secret plan for sucklers
Mercosur and beef prices: what will happen?
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