Brazilian beef that was imported to the EU has been pulled from shelves as it emerged the beef was treated with hormones that are banned in Europe for decades.
The issue of tainted beef entering our food chain has been a major concern for opponents of the Mercosur deal.
One of these opponents, Lynn Boylan MEP, has said that this recall needs to be a wake up call for the government about the real issues with Mercosur.
The Sinn Féin MEP, who sits on the trade committee in the European Parliament has said that this shows the issue with the quality, and safety of beef being imported from the Mercosur countries.
“If passed, the Mercosur deal would see the EU import up to 99,000T of beef with fewer checks, increasing the likelihood of more tainted beef entering our supply chain.
“The issue is that this beef is not subject to the same rigorous standards as the Irish grown beef.
“This means that Irish farmers would have to compete with the market being flooded by inferior, cheap beef that has been treated with chemicals that have been deemed unsafe for human consumption for decades.”
MEP Boylan says that this must make it clear that Mercosur is a rotten trade deal that must be opposed, saying that it is bad for the planet, for public health and for Irish farmers.
“There’s still a way to block this deal from being passed.
“The Irish government needs to get off the fence and join the blocking minority against the Mercosur.
“Stopping this rotten deal must be a priority for all Irish MEPs.”
