Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has called on the European Commission to provide assurances that Brazilian beef restricted from entering the European Union cannot reach the Single Market indirectly through Britain and Northern Ireland.
Mr Mullooly raised the issue with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič during a European Parliament debate in Strasbourg on reform of the Union Customs Code.
The Independent Ireland MEP said the ability of Brazilian beef to enter the British market raises questions about how EU food-safety and customs rules will operate given Northern Ireland’s particular trading arrangements.
He called on the Commission to demonstrate that customs controls provide sufficient safeguards against meat which does not meet EU entry requirements finding an alternative route into the Single Market.
Mr Mullooly said Irish and European farmers are required to comply with high standards relating to food safety, traceability and production and argued that the same protections must apply to imported products.
He said clarity was required on whether customs arrangements can prevent Brazilian beef which is restricted from direct entry to the EU from reaching the European market through another route.
The MEP told Commissioner Šefčovič that Northern Ireland’s position meant the issue needed particular attention.
Following the debate, Mr Mullooly said farmers required certainty that EU food-safety protections would be enforced at every potential point of entry.
“Irish and European farmers are required to meet exceptionally high standards on food safety, traceability and production,” he said.
He added that there could not be uncertainty over whether imported beef barred from direct EU entry could find an alternative route into the Single Market.
