Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There has been recent engagement between the European Union and Mercosur negotiators on the finalisation of a trade deal. My understanding is there are a significant number of areas of disagreement, both offensive and defensive, between the parties, including in the agrifood sector with respect to ethanol, sugar, geographical indications, beef and dairy. Ireland's position is well understood with respect of beef and it has been communicated at the highest level. It has been reiterated many times by me at Council of Agriculture Minister meetings and through direct contacts with Commissioners Hogan and Malmström. It has also been set out by other Ministers in the relevant EU trade policy fora and by the Taoiseach at European Council and through his own direct contacts, most recently with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and French President Emmanuel Macron. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Andrew Doyle, also made a very strong intervention on this point at the Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brussels on 29 January.

We have worked hard to build a coalition of member states that share our concerns about further agricultural concessions by the European Union in the negotiations and who consider that their offensive interests have not been adequately addressed. Of course, other member states strongly support the conclusion of a deal on the balance of their broader economic interests. Ireland has argued that full account must be taken of the findings of the Commission’s own assessment of the cumulative impact of trade deals on the agrifood sector and that the uncertainty around Brexit has the potential to exacerbate an already delicately balanced EU beef market. We will continue to work with other member states to ensure the interests of European Union agriculture are protected in the negotiations.

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