The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has said that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the nitrates derogation, US tariffs, and the Mercosur agreement are all on the agenda at the July meeting of the EU AgriFish Council in Brussels today (July 14).

Speaking before the meeting this morning, Minister Heydon noted that US tariffs are "very serious" for Irish exporters, and offered his support to the EU Commissioner for Trade, Maros Sefcovic in his negotiations.

Minister Heydon said: "We’ve seen a lot of different figures banded around. A lot of negotiations with the US side has been of the megaphone type, through social media and out in the public, whereas the European negotiations has been at the table. It’s open to the US how they do that, but we prefer to keep those negotiations going.

"We continue to highlight the mutually beneficial nature of the trade between the EU and the US, and in particular between Ireland and the US," Minister Heydon added.

The minister was asked about other EU trade agreements, and raised his concerns about the Mercosur trade agreement.

Minister Heydon said that he would be highlighting Ireland's "ongoing difficulties" with the Mercosur agreement during the meeting.

He said: "The difficulty (with Mercosur) is particularly for our beef sector. I’ve highlighted that very clearly, the challenges we have in that space, and we continue to work with like-minded countries who share those difficulties.

"There are a number of countries, and their agricultural ministers, who have clearly stated their difficulties, and we continue to engage with them around that issue," Minister Heydon added.

With the European Commission set to announce its proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) or long-term EU budget this Wednesday (July 16), Minister Heydon said CAP will be a "key part" of the EU Council's discussions.

He said: "An Irish priority is a dedicated, ring-fenced budget, a standalone CAP that protects the two pillar structure.

"Food security is hugely important. The sustainability of our agri-food sector is pivotal. The EU was a peace project, at its heart was CAP, it has served us really well. We are determined that it would remain an important pillar of any future MFF," Minister Heydon added.

The minister also reiterated his support for the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen in his "ongoing efforts" to secure a separate structure for the CAP budget.

Minister Heydon also said that he would be highlighting "the need in Ireland" to get a continuation of the nitrates derogation.

He said: "Also on the agenda today are issues around protein. Ireland supports the approach around strengthening plant-based proteins, but also the need for livestock and sustainable livestock to be a key part in that, in terms of our efforts around protein into the future.

"On the RENURE proposal, we support the countries who will benefit from that, those countries with an intensive indoor system.

"Ireland with our pasture-based outdoor system, however, will not be able to benefit from that to the same extent," Minister Heydon explained.

Separately this morning, the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne said that an EU-US trade agreement is the "only way" to protect vulnerable sectors.

Minister Byrne was speaking before a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade in Brussels today.

He said: "The commission will have in reserve a list of counter-measures, a list of proposals in case things go completely the wrong way.

"Every member state will be looking to make sure that it’s sensitive sectors are protected, but really the only way they’re protected is if we come to a trade agreement," Minister Byrne added.