A Sinn Féin TD has claimed that European Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, has disrespected the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food.

Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan's comments follow confirmation from the committee that its correspondence to the commissioner in relation to the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement was not acknowledged or replied to.

"As an elected representative on the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food, and as someone from a family farm background, I treat this role with the utmost importance," she said.

Following a meeting with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Sefcovic in November, Deputy Newsome Drennan requested that the committee raise her concerns about the deal with Commissioner Hansen.

"As a result, on November 14, the chair of the committee wrote to the commissioner, outlining our concerns in detail and seeking his engagement.

"These concerns include flaws in the safeguards and standards of food production, food safety, and illegal hormone use; all of which have emerged as major issues," she said.

The TD also questioned the use of €1.8 billion in EU funding allocated to Mercosur countries as part of the 'Fair Green and Digital Transition'.

Sinn Féin

Deputy Newsome Drennan said that "after more than two months, there has been no reply -not even an acknowledgment of our request".

"The conduct of the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food shows nothing but contempt and a lack of respect for the democratically elected members of the Irish Parliament and our committee.

"It clearly demonstrates that the commission has no regard for the concerns and views of members of parliament across the EU," she added.