TUV agriculture spokesperson, Councillor Allister Kyle, has said that the Government’s response on concerns surrounding Brazilian beef imports will do little to reassure Northern Ireland farmers and has warned that ministers must be prepared to act if local producers come under pressure.

In response to concerns raised by TUV leader Jim Allister, the Minister for Animal Welfare and Biosecurity, Baroness Hayman of Ullock, said:

“Based on current evidence, Defra does not consider it likely that there will be significant diversion of Brazilian beef into Great Britain as a result of the EU's import ban. Although the EU measures may displace some trade, UK imports from Brazil in 2025 accounted for only 1.4% of beef supplies, excluding imports of processed meat (e.g. corned beef). Brazilian exporters have a wide range of established alternative markets and any volumes diverted from the EU would have to pay UK MFN tariffs. The UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group provides a forum for the discussion of market impacts across the UK and will continue to monitor developments closely. We will remain alert to any evidence of significant market disruption or adverse impacts on domestic producers.”

Councillor Kyle said many beef farmers will be “disappointed” that the Government has “stopped short of providing any firm guarantee about how it would respond if increased imports began to impact the market”.

He continued: “While ministers say they do not currently anticipate significant trade diversion, they have also confirmed that assessments and reviews are still ongoing. That underlines the fact that legitimate concerns remain.

“Northern Ireland’s beef sector is a vital part of our rural economy, and our farmers already operate to some of the highest standards of animal welfare, traceability and food safety anywhere in the world.

“As a beef farmer myself, I know the challenges facing local producers. Farmers cannot be expected to shoulder the consequences of trade decisions which expose them to unfair competition or place further pressure on returns.”

Councillor Kyle continued: “Jim Allister KC MP was right to press the Government for answers on this issue. His intervention has ensured that these concerns have been placed firmly before ministers and that the potential implications for our beef industry are being examined.

“However, monitoring the situation is not enough. The Government must be prepared to take decisive action if evidence emerges that imports are distorting the market, undermining prices, or placing Northern Ireland producers at a disadvantage.

“Farmers need more than warm words. They need confidence that the Government will stand behind them and protect a sector which is central to food production and rural life across Northern Ireland,” he ended.