April 29, 2025

Weak Mercosur deal could affect Ireland's beef prices, Beef Plan vice chair says

 

 

Beef farmers in Ireland "have been waiting for 10 years to secure realistic prices" according to John Maloney, vice chair of Beef Plan.

 

Maloney also hopes that strong farm gate returns will be "maintained". But the vice chair of the beef farmers' organisation has also warned that a poor Mercosur deal could hold Irish beef prices below the waterline. He also fears that the Irish government could "cave in" to pressure from other EU member states, who want to get a Mercosur agreement reached either before the end of this year or early in 2026.

 

Maloney added: "Talk that a trade deal with the Mercosur block would see only 99,000 tonnes of South American beef coming into the EU is not really the issue.

 

"I have no doubt that Mercosur countries will target Europe with high-end beef cuts, for the most part. And this eventuality would almost certainly harm Irish beef prices.

 

"What's more, talk that a Mercosur deal will open up dairy export opportunities for Irish exporters is nothing more than a red herring. Hopefully, this is a reality that the Irish government will fully recognise."

 

Given this backdrop, Beef Plan has started a petition, through its social media channels, for farmers and other members of Irish society to confirm their opposition to a Mercosur deal.

 

According to Maloney, approximately 1,500 people had signed up to the petition within hours of it going live, with a plan to circulate the final results amassed to all Irish MEPs and TDs.

 

"The time to protest against a Mercosur deal is now," he said.

 

The video accompanying the Beef Plan petition highlights lower beef production standards allegedly in place across the Mercosur region, relative to those legislated for in Europe.

 

In addition, the aforementioned 99,000 tonnes of beef imports from South America would come into the EU free of tariffs, which will further impact prices.

 

The Beef Plan video also suggests that while the European Union wants to cut cattle numbers in the face of climate change, many South American countries continue to cut down rainforest to facilitate higher levels of beef production.

 

Meanwhile, Beef Plan has cautiously welcomed the decision by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, to boost funding levels for the 2025 Beef Welfare Scheme by 25%.

 

Maloney said: "It is vital for suckler farmers to be adequately supported into the future."

 

- Agriland