Farmers say a recall of Brazillian beef from EU markets raises very serious questions about its production standards.
The recall follows the discovery of hormones in beef exported from Brazil to the EU.
It coincides with a report on the findings of an IFA /Irish Farmers Journal investigation on production standards for Brazilian beef.
Co. Cavan farmer Adam Woods is Deputy Editor with The Irish Farmers Journal - he says it raises serious questions about the Mercosur trade deal.
He said: "The backdrop against this, is that there is 99,000 extra tonne coming in at a reduced tariff as a result of the Mercosur deal.
"We were in Brazil three weeks ago, we were able to travel around and purchase hormones and high level antibiotics during that trip.
"It poses real questions about the standards there, they are very different to the standards adhered to on Irish farms, and European farms," Mr. Woods added.
