Humphreys, the IFA and the Battle of Kildare St

The Mercosur trade deal, which would allow an extra 99,000 tons of beef from South America into the EU each year, is a cause of escalating tension between the Department of Business and the farmers’ organisation

Beef cattle at the Agro Holanda SA feedlot in Zarate in Argentina: the South American country is a major beef producer and stands to gain from the Mercosur deal Pic: Getty

The Mercosur trade deal has shown again that the old joke about the minister for agriculture really being the minister for the Irish Farmers Association is grounded in reality.

Michael Creed has been leading the charge against the agreement, which would allow an additional 99,000 tons of South American beef into the EU every year.

“Farmers want to know that the minister for agriculture is in their corner,” a government source said.

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