I welcome the Tánaiste’s confirmation that Ireland will vote against the Mercosur trade agreement when it comes before EU Ambassadors for ratification in Brussels tomorrow. This reflects a position I have held on the matter since my election to the Dáil. Ireland could not support the deal in the form in which it was presented.
In recent weeks the Taoiseach, Minister Martin Heydon, Minister Helen McEntee and the Tánaiste have worked hard across Government and with our European partners to secure the best possible outcome for Ireland. That work involved building support with other countries that shared our concerns and pressing for stronger safeguards that would address real issues around standards, fairness and protections.
Although the EU has agreed to some extra measures, they do not go far enough to meet the concerns of Irish citizens or to protect the livelihoods of our farmers.
The issues at stake remain serious. A recent investigation in Brazil by the IFA and the Irish Farmers Journal highlighted the gap in standards around the use of steroids and antibiotics in Mercosur countries. Irish and EU farmers work under some of the highest animal welfare, environmental and public health rules in the world. These rules come with real costs. It is not fair or credible to allow products into the EU market that are produced under much weaker conditions.
I support balanced trade agreements that help to strengthen and diversify our economy. However, agriculture should never have been included in this deal. The risks to Irish beef farmers in particular are too great and the safeguards offered do not provide the protection required.
For these reasons, and in line with the Government’s position, I remain firmly opposed to the ratification of the Mercosur agreement and I would appeal to Irish MEPs to reject the deal when it comes before them in Strasbourg later this month. I will be attending Saturday’s protest against Mercosur in Athlone.