Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is an ongoing issue. With regard to agri-food, we have offensive interests too. We want to access markets. We export 85% of all the agri-food and drink products we produce, so it is in Ireland's interest to have a platform for international trade that is as wide as possible. However, we have some concerns. Ireland is, effectively, the only large exporter of beef in the European Union. It is the biggest exporter of beef by miles. In fact, Ireland is the fourth largest beef exporter in the world, which is extraordinary for a small country. Irish beef is exported primarily to EU markets. If we allow beef into the EU from South America, Canada, the US and other parts of the world, there will be increased competition and that is a worry for the beef sector. We are seeking to limit that as much as we can. We tried to do it in the agreement with Canada, which has now been concluded. We successfully and very significantly reduced the beef quota that was originally on offer and we will try to do the same with Mercosur and the United States.

We have a very competitive and good beef industry but we are anxious to ensure there is no unfair competition in terms of the standards by which beef is produced outside the European Union, particularly with regard to hormone usage. We will be insistent on that and, so far, the Commission has been very supportive of the Irish position in that regard.

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