Angry beef farmers yesterday picketed a public meeting on the environment organised by the European Commission at the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
The farmers, led by Irish Farmers Association president Pádraig Walshe, accused the commission of "hypocrisy" in allowing beef from Brazil into Ireland, which he said was produced at standards much lower than those demanded here.
Martin Territt, the commission representative in Ireland, said food safety would remain top of the agenda in its trading with third countries like Brazil and this would remain the case.
"I understand you have problems with imports of beef from Latin America but food safety will always take precedent over trade, no matter what else," he said.
Flor McCarthy, a beef farmer from Kenmare, Co Kerry, told Mr Territt that the commission's policy of allowing beef from Brazil into the EU was "taking the bread off my table".
"I rely for my living on beef production and I cannot compete, but I truly cannot compete when the Brazilians are allowed to produce at standards far lower than I am expected to," he said.
"When the EU food and safety authorities go to inspect the Brazilian farming system, they give three months notice of their intent. You can image what they do when they know you are coming." Mr Territt said he was available to meet the farmers and would pass on their views to the agriculture commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel.