A truck loaded with soybeans leaves a grain storage unit on a farm in Brazil. Photo: Getty

A truck loaded with soybeans leaves a grain storage unit on a farm in Brazil. Photo: Getty

Irish consumers are constantly told that Europe has the gold standard in food safety. From farm inspections to chemical controls, from animal welfare rules to traceability systems, the EU prides itself on protecting public health.

Irish farmers, in particular, have spent decades adapting their businesses to meet these demands – often at significant financial and emotional cost.