Fears have arisen that European Commission's decision to re-engage in trade negotiations with the Mercosur countries would have a serious impact on the Irish beef industry as a result of increased imports, especially from Brazil.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the agriculture ministry has been very active on the matter and succeeded in having it fully discussed at the Agricultural Council meeting last month. Ireland, France, Austria, Finland, Greece, Hungary and Poland voiced their shared concerns regarding the potential impact on the EU agricultural sector, particularly the beef market.

"We asked the Commission to provide a detailed analysis of the impact of the negotiations and to clarify the terms and conditions under which they are being re-launched," he said.

The Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos has reassured member states he is well aware of their concerns and will be vigilant in ensuring that EU agriculture will be properly protected.

Ireland must insist that the regulations and traceability rules required of Irish farmers and their European counterparts must also apply in respect of any imports from Brazil. It is not acceptable that Irish farmers should be exposed to unfair competition from imports from a country where the same standards do not apply as in the EU, opponents said.