World meat industry news

Farming minister Michelle O'Neill says the beef industry in Northern Ireland would "suffer significantly" if a major trade deal between the EU and US gets the green light.

Documents reveal concerns from Ms O'Neill, who is Minister of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, over how to deal with the issue, according to The Detail.

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a trade agreement, which is being discussed between the EU and US.

Speaking about TTIP she said: "Various pieces of research, including research that I have commissioned locally, indicates clearly that the beef sector would suffer significantly from the type of changes an ambitious TTIP deal could bring."

An internal Department of Agriculture briefing document from November 2015 states: “A deal would likely see both the EU and the US increase exports of agricultural products to each other (consequently, imports would rise for both).

"However, the net impact would likely to be in favour of US farmers (especially in beef)...”