The EU Agriculture Commissioner says he understands Irish beef farmers’ concerns about the Mercusor Trade Agreement.
Under the deal, up to 99-thousand tonnes of beef will be allowed in to the European Union every year from South America at preferential tariff rates.
Irish beef farmers – who are the fifth biggest producers in the world – fear that the deal could put them out of business.
However, EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan rejects this, saying that a one billion euro support package will be in place to assist farmers in the event of significant market disturbance arising from the deal:
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