The European Commission last night moved to reopen talks with a key South American trade bloc, a move Irish farmers oppose because it threatens increased beef imports from Brazil, writes Arthur Beesley.

Six years after the suspension of European talks with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, European Commission chief José Manuel Barroso said the EU had decided to seize an “important opportunity” to strengthen the global economy. “We will address any adverse impact on certain sectors . . . in particular in agriculture,” he said.

But Irish farmers are already calling on Taoiseach Brian Cowen to intervene to defend the Irish beef sector against the threat of increased imports.