There is mounting concern in political and farming circles that the UK is on the cusp of sealing a trade deal with Australia that could have a major impact on Irish beef exports to Britain. UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s government is reportedly set to agree to a deal that would see the phasing out of tariffs on beef and lamb imports from Australia. It comes despite concerns among some in Mr Johnson’s own Cabinet and British farmers’ fears Australian meat will undercut their own prices. An Irish Government source said the matter is being closely monitored but also pointed out the UK is free to pursue trade deals with other countries post-Brexit. Sinn Féin’s agriculture spokesman Matt Carthy called for the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to commission an impact assessment on the implication of a UK-Australia trade deal on Irish farmers.

Source: The Irish Times May 21, 2021 16:27 UTC