Commission challenged to release Mercursor trade talks documents

THE European Commission has been challenged to release all documents relating to the Mercursor bilateral trade talks which re-open at the end of the month.

Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness, who made the call, said the parliament had not been kept fully informed of the plans to reopen the trade talks.

She warned that the agriculture sector has a great deal to lose from these talks if a deal is done with Mercusor.

“The only interest these countries have is access to our food markets, especially for livestock products. It is vital that this access is not extended by the trade talks and that the strategic interests of EU agriculture are fully defended,” she said.

Ms McGuinness said she is very concerned these interests are being ignored as the EU seeks to win trade concessions from Mercursor.

“This would be very damaging to Irish farmers’ interests and would destroy our livestock sector, “she said.

Ms McGuinness, warning that food production in the EU can’t be sacrificed, said she had tabled an oral question to the Commission which she hopes will lead to a full debate on the issue in parliament later this month.