Lyon raises Scottish concerns over beef deal with Brazil

10.05.29am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 9th Jul 2010

George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, has warned about the possible impact of a beef deal with Brazil that would allow huge quantities of cheap beef to flood into the European market.

He pointed out that Scotland is heavily reliant on extensive beef production and any trade deal that does not take into account the special circumstances in countries like Scotland and Ireland could have devastating consequences for the majority of their LFA livestock farmers.

Mr Lyon's call comes as the European Commission re-enters negotiations with the Mercosur trading bloc made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Mr Lyon raised Scottish concerns during a debate at the European Parliament attended by Trade Commissioner De Gucht and Agriculture Commissioner Ciolos.

Commenting, Mr Lyon said:

"I made the Commissioners aware of the real anger and frustration felt by MEPs on the Agriculture Committee about their failure to inform us ahead of the announcement that the Commission is to re-enter negotiations with Mercosur.

"I made it clear that any deal with Brazil allowing cheap beef to flood into the European market could have serious consequences for extensive beef production in Scotland.

"I called on him to carry out an impact study to determine how any potential deal would effect the European market and prices received by Scottish livestock farmers.

"We cannot allow the Scottish beef industry to be sacrificed in any agreement with Mercosur countries as it would devastating impact on many rural communities across Scotland.

"MEPs demanded that the Commission came back to Parliament to update us on progress and that they seek our support before any deal is agreed."