Meat Industry Ireland welcomes no vote on Mercosur deal
Meat Industry Ireland (MII), the Ibec sector association representing beef, pork and lamb processing members, welcomed the Government decision to reject the ratification of the Mercosur Trade Agreement.
The Agreement, if ratified, would open access for a further 99,000 tonnes of high value steak cuts into the EU market, at a time when very different production standards, particularly between Brazil and the EU, have been exposed over recent months.
Dale Crammond, Director of Meat Industry Irelandsaid: “Alongside the Farm Organisations, Meat Industry Ireland beef members remain extremely frustrated with the potential ratification of this flawed agreement.
“The well-publicised differences in production, sustainability and traceability standards between the EU and the Mercosur region have once again come to light over recent days with the news that Brazilian product that had been treated with illegal substances was subject to a recall here in Ireland”.
In January 2025, MII estimated a loss to the EU beef market of approximately €1.3bn and a corresponding hit of €100-€130m on the Irish beef market.
Crammondsaid: “Despite attempts by some to play down the likely economic impact of the deal, MII and its members remain extremely concerned.
“Over the longer term, and following the full phase in of the agreement, the overall beef sector will experience significant shrinkage, and ultimately processing plant closures cannot be ruled out, with obvious negative consequences for the rural economy across the country.
“In view of this, we welcome the Government’s decision to honour its Programme for Government commitment by signalling its intention to reject this agreement.
“Even if the Member State vote goes against us, it will still need to be ratified by the EU Parliament.
“There is still time to ensure that all MEPs fully appreciate the likely impacts of this deal on the EU beef sector. They must reject this deal, and force negotiators back to the table to agree a better outcome for the Irish and EU beef sector. There is still time.”
The move to vote against the deal comes after junior coalition members voiced their concerns about the agreement, with Danny Healy-Rae suggesting he would walk away from the Government if they voted yes.
Asked if he would no longer support the Government if it backs the deal, he said: “I haven’t my mind made up about that, well I have, but I won’t be saying until we see what way they go.”
Farming organisations have been opposed to the deal for years and have repeatedly highlighted concerns about the quality of Brazilian beef entering the Irish market.
Yesterday, the Department of Agriculture confirmed some contaminated beef had entered the market here.
Danny Healy-Rae TD hinted that he was ready to walk away from Government over the vote. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie
A spokesman said: “The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) notified the department on December 12, 2025 that 128kg of the implicated Brazilian beef, subject of a recall under the RASFF system in November, was distributed to three Irish Food Business Operators.
“The FSAI were notified on the same day by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Northern Ireland.”
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