The Irish Government has said it is very concerned at the potential impact of the Mercosur trade deal agreed on Friday, in particular on the beef sector.
“I am very disappointed that this agreement includes a significant tariff rate quota for South American beef, at a time when the beef sector in Europe is facing significant uncertainty because of Brexit,” Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said.
“We have made concerted efforts over a long period of time to minimise the EU offer in terms of beef and while evidence of these efforts appears to have been reflected in the final offer, I am nonetheless deeply concerned at the potential impact on the Irish beef sector.
Full impact
"There may be some opportunity for other agri food sectors such as dairy and for the drinks industry, but we will need to examine the text carefully to assess the full impact.”
As a small open economy, Ireland was generally supportive of international trade deals, but Minister Creed said he was very concerned at the potential impact of elements of this particular deal.
“It will take some years before this agreement comes into effect. It will be put through a process of legal scrubbing, which could take up to two years, before being put before the European Trade Council for ratification by qualified majority vote, and the European Parliament. After that, the agreement will be brought in on a phased basis over six years,” Minister for Business Heather Humphreys said.
The deal will now go through legal refinement, which could take up to two years, before the process of ratification by the European Trade Council, the European Parliament and ultimately member states begins.
Timing
The timing of the Mercosur deal could not be worse for Irish farmers, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on agriculture Charlie McConalogue said. He called on Minister Creed to oppose any ratification of the Mercosur deal due to the fact the full impact of Brexit has not yet emerged.
“We export around 270,000t of beef to the UK every year. Will our farmers now have to compete with cheap South American imports in a post-Brexit scenario?
"This is an exceptionally volatile period and I believe the EU should not take any decisions on this deal until the full post-Brexit scenario is known”, McConalogue said.
Read more
The farmer’s daily wrap: €1bn Mercosur fund for European farmers in trade deal
Mercosur trade deal agreed
Mercosur reaction: Irish and European farmers 'sold out'
€1bn fund to help European farmers adjust to Mercosur deal
Mercosur and beef prices: what will happen?
The Irish Government has said it is very concerned at the potential impact of the Mercosur trade deal agreed on Friday, in particular on the beef sector.
“I am very disappointed that this agreement includes a significant tariff rate quota for South American beef, at a time when the beef sector in Europe is facing significant uncertainty because of Brexit,” Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said.
“We have made concerted efforts over a long period of time to minimise the EU offer in terms of beef and while evidence of these efforts appears to have been reflected in the final offer, I am nonetheless deeply concerned at the potential impact on the Irish beef sector.
Full impact
"There may be some opportunity for other agri food sectors such as dairy and for the drinks industry, but we will need to examine the text carefully to assess the full impact.”
As a small open economy, Ireland was generally supportive of international trade deals, but Minister Creed said he was very concerned at the potential impact of elements of this particular deal.
“It will take some years before this agreement comes into effect. It will be put through a process of legal scrubbing, which could take up to two years, before being put before the European Trade Council for ratification by qualified majority vote, and the European Parliament. After that, the agreement will be brought in on a phased basis over six years,” Minister for Business Heather Humphreys said.
The deal will now go through legal refinement, which could take up to two years, before the process of ratification by the European Trade Council, the European Parliament and ultimately member states begins.
Timing
The timing of the Mercosur deal could not be worse for Irish farmers, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on agriculture Charlie McConalogue said. He called on Minister Creed to oppose any ratification of the Mercosur deal due to the fact the full impact of Brexit has not yet emerged.
“We export around 270,000t of beef to the UK every year. Will our farmers now have to compete with cheap South American imports in a post-Brexit scenario?
"This is an exceptionally volatile period and I believe the EU should not take any decisions on this deal until the full post-Brexit scenario is known”, McConalogue said.
Read more
The farmer’s daily wrap: €1bn Mercosur fund for European farmers in trade deal
Mercosur trade deal agreed
Mercosur reaction: Irish and European farmers 'sold out'
€1bn fund to help European farmers adjust to Mercosur deal
Mercosur and beef prices: what will happen?
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: