Like most Irish beef farmers, Mr Curran had a great year in 2025. The Mercosur deal would reduce barriers to trade between four South American countries and the EU. Photograph: Emile Windal/Belga/AFP via Getty ImagesTom O’Connor, a beef farmer from Moone, Co Kildare, said the EU had “raised the white flag” in relation to animal welfare standards with the Mercosur deal. Michael Haverty, a beef farmer from Clonbern in north Galway, said that as a father of three he understood the concerns many households have about rising food prices. “It is important, if it does happen, that European consumers are fully aware of the differences between European and Mercosur beef.”

Source: The Irish Times January 10, 2026 16:32 UTC