Trade deal poses huge risk to local industry

“We are aware the European Commission has tabled an offer that includes an import quota of 78,000 tonnes of beef. This would include high value cuts and beef or further processing. It is also likely that both the pig and poultry sectors would be affected,” said Mr Marshall.

With prices for commodities low across Europe, the he said he was struggling to see any logic in plans that fail to recognise the sensitive nature of EU beef production.

“We need to find new export markets, especially with the continued Russian import ban in place.

“But these proposals run counter to the Commission’s drive to help agriculture through a crisis.

“We cannot believe Brussels would even consider a trade deal to increase the volume of food imported to the EU – and much of that will be food that does not meet European farm standards.”

He added that 20 of 28 agriculture ministers had raised concerns about the need for better protection for European farm and food businesses.