Irish farmers' lobby wants beef out of Mercosur/EU trade talks

Thursday, March 23rd 2017 - 11:59 UTC

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Given what is known of the Brazilian meat scandal, ”I am firmly of the view that beef and meat generally may be off the agenda,” McGuinness said in Brussels

First vice-president of the European Union Parliament Irish lawmaker Mairead McGuinness has asked EU Commissioners for agriculture and trade for clarity on allegations that Brazil has sold meat that is unfit for consumption.

McGuinness, a member of the parliament’s agriculture committee, has written to the EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan and the EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom in light of recent reports about allegations that some of Brazil's biggest meat processors have sold meat, both domestically and internationally, that is unfit for consumption.

“I have requested clarity on whether the European Commission has received the full details on the extent of this scandal,” the MEP and vice-president said.

These disturbing reports add further weight to my concerns that beef from Brazil, and Mercosur countries, should not be on the trade talks agenda at all.

“With negotiations on an EU-Mercosur trade deal continuing this week in Argentina, it is imperative that this issue is addressed. I put that to the commissioners and stressed that before these revelations, we had concerns about beef imports from Brazil. Given what we now know, I am firmly of the view that beef and meat generally may be off the agenda,” McGuinness said in Brussels.

McGuinness has also sought information on what action the Commission will take in addressing food safety concerns in response to the reports.

“These disturbing reports add further weight to my concerns that beef from Brazil, and Mercosur countries, should not be on the trade talks agenda at all. The risks for EU producers and consumers are too great,” McGuinness wrote in her letter to the commissioners.

Categories: Agriculture, Economy, Politics, International, Mercosur.

Tags: Brazil, Cecilia Malmstrom, EU-Mercosur, European Union Parliament, Irish Farmers Association, Phil Hogan EU farm commissioner.

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The Voice
Both Irish and Brazilian beef is on sale in our local Makro, has been for years. The Brazilian stuff is very cheap. Presumably samples will have been inspected on import. Personally I either buy Scottish or English beef. As it's Makro that steak you buy at the hotel or pub may be a Brazilian! I don't understand what this is about because Brazilin beef is already being imported in large quantities. You never see Argentinian beef or American beef. I believe that's because both countries allow steroids.
Mar 23rd, 2017 - 09:23 pm +1
Jack Bauer
“Given what we now know, I am firmly of the view that beef and meat generally may be off the agenda,” McGuinness said in Brussels.”

Well, all I have to say is that what McGuiness thinks, or says she knows, is not the full story. It's clear that her motivation to try to block Brazilian beef from entering the EU has always been based on economic reasons, not sanitary ones....but no doubt she'll explore it to the bitter end, even after the temporary ban to other countries, is lifted.
Mar 25th, 2017 - 05:36 pm 0
Voice
Ireland should be more worried about its recent stance with the UK...no deals unless through the EU...
When you consider the 240,000 tonnes of beef that is exported annually to the UK, Ireland’s largest export market, which accounts for 53 per cent of total beef exports..

Perhaps the UK will instead strike a deal with Mercosur...
Mar 23rd, 2017 - 01:20 pm -1

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