Livestock farmers are demonstrating this afternoon outside the EU Commission office in Dublin over a proposed agreement to increase Brazilian beef imports to Europe.
A deal between the EU and Brazil along with other South American countries could be approved next week at a summit of European leaders in Spain.
A few years ago, Brazilian beef was banned from Europe over its production standards, but imports have partially resumed and are currently about 10% of previous levels.
The IFA is warning that this proposed 'Mercursor' deal could inflict losses of €350m on the Irish beef sector and damage the livelihoods of 80,000 beef farmers.
IFA President John Bryan accused the EU Commission of attempting to agree a WTO deal on beef by the back door.
Mr Bryan said Commission President José Manuel Barroso must not sell out the Irish and European livestock industry to the beef conglomerates and ranchers in Brazil.
He called on Taoiseach Brian Cowen to intervene directly with President Barroso before next week's summit.
The IFA President said the EU Commission's own Food and Veterinary Office has catalogued a series of reports, which highlight the consistent failure of Brazilian beef to meet EU standards.
