Copa and Cogeca (the bodies representing EU farmers' unions and farm co-operatives) urged the EU Commission this week to exercise caution in the free trade talks between the EU and US (TTIP) after a new study reveals that a potential trade deal could have a severe impact on the EU beef sector.
The issue was debated in the Copa & Cogeca beef working party. After the meeting, the committee's president Jean-Pierre Fleury warned: "Prices are continuing to drop in the EU beef sector and the Russian ban on EU agriculture exports is still in place.
"In view of the difficulties, it is crucial to find new markets for our produce. We also need additional tools to give exporters some security and help protect them against risk when exporting to new markets. The only possible tool here is export credit guarantees and we urge the EU to step up action to use these tools, " he added.
Mr Fleury went on: "We also urge the EU Commission to be extremely prudent in the free trade talks between the EU and US (TTIP) after a new study carried out by the French Livestock Institute on the competitiveness of the EU suckler cow sector in the framework of the TTIP talks confirms that the classification of beef as a sensitive product in these negotiations is justified.
"In my native country France, for example, which has the highest number of suckler cows in the EU, the same study confirms a potential drop in incomes of specialised French beef producers of up to 40-50 per cent."
Meanwhile, beef producers will welcome the announcement by the European Commission that it is to remove Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) for beef from its draft access offer to the Latin American trading bloc Mercosur.
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 266 store heifers at Ayr yesterday to a top of £1250 per head and 247.1p per kg to average £798.29 and 209.8p (+4.6p on the fortnight), while 366 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1385 and 275.5p to level at £883.08 and 219.9p (also +4.6p). Eighty-six store, B&W bullocks sold to £820 and 162.6p to average £690.99 and 141.2p (+9.4p).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 5242 prime hoggs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £109 per head and 218p per kg to average 184p (+6p on the week), while 88 prime lambs levelled at 224p.
There were also 2881 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £146 for Texels and averaged £87.07 (+£2.47), while light ewes peaked at £93 for Lleyns and levelled at £57.10 (-46p).
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