EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has been asked for assurances that Brazilian beef, currently banned from the EU, cannot reach the single market through the UK.

MEP Ciaran Mullooly raised the issue with the trade commissioner during a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the reform of the Union Customs Code.

The Midlands-North West MEP welcomed efforts to provide greater legal certainty for businesses and greater consistency for customs officials across the EU.

However, he said the Brazilian beef issue raised questions about how those protections will operate in practice.

Customs and enforcement

Mullooly told the trade commissioner that the continued ability of Brazilian beef to enter the UK creates an important customs and enforcement question because of Northern Ireland’s unique position.

He added that the European Commission must be able to demonstrate that the customs system provides a watertight safeguard against any attempt to circumvent the restrictions

Mullooly said: “This beef is coming into the UK and Northern Ireland has a particular position in relation to our European Single Market.

“That has to apply notwithstanding the unusual situation that the people of Northern Ireland face at the moment when it comes to keeping Brazilian beef out.”

Following the debate, Mullooly said that if the EU has determined that Brazilian beef cannot currently meet the requirements for entry to the European market, that decision must be enforceable at every possible point of entry.

He said: “Irish and European farmers are required to meet exceptionally high standards on food safety, traceability and production.

“We cannot have uncertainty about whether imported beef which is barred from direct entry into the European Union could find another route towards the single market.

“I am asking the trade commissioner for a clear guarantee that the customs system is strong enough to prevent that from happening.”