SINN Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said food security must be a priority in the context of Brexit negotiations.
The party’s Agriculture spokesperson said:
“Last week my party colleague Matt Carthy MEP raised his concerns about Brazilian poultry products being imported into Europe.
“He also called for the European Commission to immediately suspend all meat imports from Brazil pending a full investigation and to indefinitely cease trade negotiations with the Mercosur trading block.
“In 2016 a total of 184 international notifications were received concerning products of Brazilian animal origin in 2016.
“Yet the European Commission have repeated their intention to conclude a free trade agreement with the Mercosur block, which includes Brazil, ‘as soon as possible’.
“The Brazilian meat scandal highlights the difficulties that would have to be navigated in negotiating trade agreements. Food security must be a priority and cheap food imports must not be a trade-off in return for access to other markets.
“Given the importance of the agriculture and agri-food sectors to our economy, this is one of the many arguments as to why special designated status within the EU makes sense for the north,” added the East Derry MLA.
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