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Food Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022

Thursday, 10 February 2022

Questions (460)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

460. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which Mercosur has facilitated imports of beef or other food products into Ireland or the European Union in the past five years; the extent to which this represents an increase or decrease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7340/22]

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Written answers

Based on the latest data available from the European Commission for the period 2017 to 2020, EU imports of beef from Mercosur countries have been stable, with on average approximately 200,000 tonnes imported per annum. The table below sets out the annual figures as well as latest figures available for 2021.

2017

2018

2019

2020

Jan-Nov 2021

Brazil

86,927

103,979

99,569

84,139

73,449

Argentina

49,259

61,400

65,324

56,421

47,699

Uruguay

52,079

47,922

40,483

34,611

40,801

Paraguay

5,922

5,520

5,203

4,234

3,666

Total

194,187

218,821

210,579

179,405

165,615

Source EU Commission

In terms of imports into Ireland from Mercosur, CSO data confirms that a minimal amount of beef is imported, with some €130,000 of product in value terms being imported in 2020. Overall, agri-food imports from Mercosur to Ireland have remained static in recent years, with an average value of €350 million. This is mainly comprised of animal feed imports used in the Irish livestock sector.

While the EU-Mercosur political agreement provides for a new beef tariff rate quota of 99,000 tonnes for Mercosur countries, the Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the agreement, which was published in July 2021, found that, in a worst-case scenario, when the agreement is fully in place, EU beef imports would be expected to increase by a maximum of 53,000 tonnes. Notwithstanding that, I continue to have reservations over the Mercosur trade deal. Irish beef farmers produce a world-class product and operate to very high sustainability standards. We cannot have a substandard product significantly impacting on our primary producers.

This ESIA also concluded that, overall, Irish exports to the Mercosur market are expected to be 17% higher in 2035, with particular increases forecast in pharmaceuticals, computer and electronic products and processed foods and beverages. As with all trade agreements, there will be a range of impacts, both positive and negative.

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