The IFA has called on Taoiseach Brian Cowen to intervene with the EU Commission at the highest level to defend the Irish beef sector against a real threat of increased beef imports from Brazil and other South American countries.
Speaking in Brussels, IFA President John Bryan said he was very concerned about moves by the EU Commission to re-open discussions with South American countries with a view to agreeing a bi-lateral deal on agriculture with the Mercusor trading group.
Mr Bryan said any attempt to increase beef imports from Brazil and South America would have devastating consequences for our livestock sector.
He said the Taoiseach must insist that this matter is not progressed and convey in the strongest terms to the EU Commission the damage that an increase in imports would have on the future growth potential of the agri-food sector, and Ireland's economic recovery.
The IFA leader said the latest move by Commission President Manuel Barroso to increase beef imports from Brazil, where production fails to comply with European standards, shows that the EU Commission is failing in its duty to safeguard European consumers and is undermining European producers.
