Following the details of the deal with Mercosur and the resulting fall in beef prices, Irish farmers demanded a meeting with Prime Minister Leo Wadarkar.

The agreement, under which Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will receive an additional quota of access to 99,000 tons of beef to EU shelves, which has not yet entered into force for several years, already affects beef-producing farmers abroad.

Irish farmers, already shocked by uncertainty with Brexit, say the deal between the EU and MERCOSUR paves the way for an increase in imports of cheaper beef from South America and could cost them up to 750 million euros.

EU Irish Commissar for Agriculture Phil Hogan admitted that he was “involved in defense” in the negotiations.

Members of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Breeding Association (ICSA) rallied at a Kepak meat processing plant in Atlig, Roscommon County, to protest the fall in beef prices.

On the morning of July 1, quotes for beef decreased by 5-10 cents per kilogram in all directions, while prices for oxen currently range from 3.65-3.70 euros per kilogram, while heifers traded at 3.75 -3.80 euros per kilogram. Bull prices returned to 3.65 euros per kilogram.