Reservations about EU move to reopen talks with Mercosur group

THE Government has serious reservations about the EU decision to re-engage in trade negotiations with Mercosur group of South American countries.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith told the Dáil in written replies to questions from Michael Creed (FG) and Sean Sherlock (Lab) that he had conveyed these reservations directly to Commissioner Dacian Ciolos last week.

He expressed deep concerns over the decision to re-launch the talks and the threat which these could pose for Irish and European agriculture.