The European Commission has decided to rescind its ban on Brazilian beef less than one month since it was imposed over food safety issues.
EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson today approved the return to EU markets of beef produced on 106 brazilian ranches, after banning the products in January for repeated non-compliance with EU requests for details on the farms' license to export.
Fine Gael has said the EC's decision to lift the ban makes clear the need for issues such as production standards and animal welfare to take main stage at world trade talks, adding that the action means than beef produced to a lower standard than Irish beef will be freely available in the EU again.
The 106 farms were approved to return to the EU market following audit reports carried out by Brazilian authorities.
Fine Gael agriculture spokesperson, Michael Creed said: "there isn't a level playing pitch between EU and Brazilian producers and if Brazil wants to have access to our market they shouldn't be allowed to do so without being subject to the same rigorous standards as EU producers."