EU and Mercosur negotiators concluded the latest talks on Friday without agreeing a deal, departing to consider each other’s latest position.

Elections in Brazil this autumn followed some months later by European Parliament elections and appointment of a new European Commission means there are just weeks left to agree any deal.

It is understood that the EU has conditionally offered to allow in 99,000t of Mercosur beef – if it’s offered increased access for EU dairy product and cars.

The European Commission is facing strong internal resistance given the continuing meat industry scandals in Brazil. Seven meat plants will this week lose approval to be EU suppliers. An MEP delegation travels to Brazil next month on a fact finding mission.

IFA president Joe Healy warned that European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan must now dig in and prevent the Commission from increasing its beef offer beyond 70,000t.

European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia MalmstrÖm is intent on selling out EU beef farmers if allowed, he warned.