MII welcomes Government rejection of Mercosur Trade Agreement
Meat Industry Ireland praises Government decision to reject Mercosur Trade Agreement, citing economic and sustainability concerns
Print9 January 2026
Meat Industry Ireland (MII), the Ibec sector association representing beef, pork and lamb processing members, recently 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 Ireland said: “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. Given the inflationary pressures on the beef market over the last 12 months, the economic loss will now be considerably higher. Demand for steak cuts, typically representing 30% of the carcass value, has declined significantly. Allowing the Mercosur countries to selectively target this market with predatory pricing will further undermine returns along the supply chain. No adequate safeguards are in place to ensure a more balanced range of carcass cuts enters our market, and this remains a fundamental flaw of the Agreement.
Dale Crammond added: “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, it welcomes 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”.
Read more: Ibec welcomes Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity
© 2026, ShelfLife by Ryan Brennan
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