Irish farmers fear a “flood of South American beef” if the EU ratifies a new trade deal with countries in the continent. 

Trade negotiations between the EU and Mercosur countries - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay - started in 2000 and have recently concluded after a quarter of a century of work.  

With Brussels keen to diversify trade following the imposition of US tariffs on the bloc, the European Commission is set to recommend the deal to member states. 

On The Pat Kenny Show, Irish Times Europe correspondent Jack Power explained that farmers are worried about provisions that will slash tariffs on South American agricultural products. 

“The significant concerns are over imports of cheaper Brazilian beef into the European market and what effect that will have,” he said. 

“France, on one side opposing it; Germany, Spain and others in favour of the deal. 

“Ireland has said it won’t back it unless there are significant changes.” 

A farmer in Ireland walking behind a herd of cows on a narrow country road on Valentia Island in County Kerry. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

The Commission could yet come forward with minor changes and there will be a mechanism to protect European beef farmers if the price of their produce falls dramatically. 

“What that would probably look like will be the form of some sort of safeguard mechanism that [would be triggered] if there is some kind of flood of South American beef into Ireland, into France that significantly would disrupt the market there,” Mr Power added. 

“And the one thing farmers are worried about is being undercut in price [by] Brazilian imports of beef and seeing Irish beef tank in prices.” 

Cows grazing. Picture by: Richard Gray/EMPICS. 

The EU has promised to set up a fund to mitigate market distortions if necessary, although officials expect the impact of the agreement will be minimal. 

“What it basically means is it will mean 100,000 tons of South American beef will be allowed into the EU market,” he said. 

“That’s obviously spread across the entirety of the 450 million people, it’s about two steaks or two hamburgers a year per person. 

“The European Commission is making the argument that they don’t think this will have a materially detrimental impact to Irish farmers or French farmers. 

“But there is a recognition that there’s different elements of this deal, certain sectors will win, certain sectors will lose.

“And of the losers, beef farmers are probably principally in that category.” 

Main image: A herd of cows in Brazil. Picture by: Alamy.com.