Irish farmers have led domestic opposition to the deal with the South American trading bloc, which some critics also say would undermine climate action.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen last month said the deal was of “crucial importance for Europe — economically, diplomatically and geopolitically”.

If ratified, the deal — under discussion since 2023 — would create the world’s biggest free trade zone with a combined population of over 700 million people.

Francie Gorman, president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), said earlier this week that the proposed deal would be “bad for Irish farmers and very damaging for public health”.

“The so-called safeguards put forward by the EU Commission do not give any assurances that Brazilian beef will meet EU standards,” he said this morning.

“In our discussions with members of government over the last 48 hours, we re-stated that opposition to the Mercosur deal was the only credible position the government could adopt.

“Farmers would have felt let down by any other approach.”

Labour TD Eoghan Kenny said: “Beef production in South America accounts for around 65 per cent of tropical deforestation.

“At a time when the climate crisis is accelerating, it is indefensible for the European Union to sign off on a trade deal that incentivises the destruction of vital ecosystems.

“We cannot lecture the world on climate leadership while actively rewarding deforestation through our trade policy.”