EU trade agenda causing ‘extreme pressure’ on beef and sheep
The beef and sheep sectors in the EU are “under extreme pressure” due to the market access being given to other countries, according to an EU farm organisation.
The fragility of the beef and sheep sectors and their importance for the vibrancy of EU’s rural areas should not be overlooked in EU trade discussions, Copa-Cogeca said in a statement.
“The cumulative impacts of trade deals are very much being felt and met with a lot of bitterness by our farmers, especially at a time where they are constantly being asked to do and invest more to improve their production,” it added.
The organisation said that initiatives under the Green Deal may require “a lot of investment at farm level” across member states, while at the same time the EU is allowing increased market access from third countries, “regardless of production methods”.
“This leaves us in a dire situation where we witness a loss of competitiveness, decline in production and sustainability leakage being ignored,” Copa-Cogeca said.
Aisling O’Brien | Agriland
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